Josh Olson was traded to the Hershey Bears from the San Antonio Rampage on Friday.

Matt Hendricks was promoted from the Florida Everblades of the ECHL to Lowell Lock Monsters of the AHL.  He scored a powerplay goal on Friday night but the Springfield Falcons.

With two days left in the auction of AHL All Star warm-up jersey's Buffalo's Dustin Brown's sweater had garnered the highest bid of $1,400.  Brandon Bochenski's jersey had a high bid of $ 626 and Zach Parise's sweater was going for $751.  Keith Ballard had 26 bids and was listed at $297.95.

Parise was rated one of the top-10 prospects by The Hockey News in their "Future Watch" edition.

Ken Gernander remains out of the lineup for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
 
Troy Riddle returned to the lineup for the Worcester IceCats a week ago after missing several games with a rib/oblique injury. He has three points since his return.

Matt Koalska missed four games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers with a leg injury but scored a powerplay goal in his first game back, his second goal of the season. Assistant Captain Ryan Kraft will miss the remainder of the season for the Tigers after having surgery to repair and injured ankle.

Casey Hankinson scored an assist on the game winning goal as the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks topped the Houston Aeros 3-2 on Friday.  Hankinson and his wife Holli are expecting their first child any day now.

Jason Notermann, playing for the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, is second in the ECHL in power-play goals with 12.  Teammate Dan Peters leads the Bullies defense with 11 points (4g-7a) and a +6 rating through 22 road games. Chris Kenady is second in the ECHL in goals scored with 27 for the Long Beach Ice Dogs.  7 of those goals were game winners.

Matt Ulwelling has two game-winning goals in his last three games for the Columbia Inferno.

David Lundbohm got his first professional hat trick in his Florida Everblades' 8-0 win at Texas on Friday.

NHL Agents will meet with NHLPA officials this week regarding the cancellation of the NHL season.

Mark Hartigan is still bitter that he lost to Jordan Leopold for the Hobey Baker award.  In a recent profile on theahl.com Hartigan said "it was kind of weird that I beat him out for WCHA Player of the Year, but I couldn’t take the Hobey. Minnesota won it all that year and I think that contributes to the voting," said Hartigan, who obviously forgot that voting for the award was completed before the National tournament.  Hartigan also expressed bitterness about being released from Atlanta because Bob Hartley, the new coach, didn't like him.  Hartigan reportedly was released not for his playing but his off-ice problems that included missing practices and an arrest for assaulting a bouncer at a Minneapolis bar.  He now plays with former Husky teammates Joe Motzko and Duvie Westc ott with the Syracuse Crunch, the farm team of the Columbus Blue Jackets. 


Quick Quotes:

"I am extremely frustrated that the NHL season was canceled. As an agent, we only get paid when our NHL clients get paid. So no season means no revenue from NHL players. We will aggressively pursue European options for our NHL clients to ensure job security if there is no NHL in 2005-06. We will continue to serve our AHL and European clients as usual."

- NHL Agent Ben Hankinson after Gary Bettman's announcement on Wednesday.

“It was an exciting season.  I really didn’t know I broke that many records until after the year was over and people were telling me about it.”

- Mark Hartigan on his record-breaking year with the St. Cloud State Huskies in 2001 when he scored 37 goals and 38 assists in 42 games   He set marks that season for goals in a period (4), most goals in a season (37), most assists in a season (t-38), most points in a season (75), most short-handed goals in a season (6) along with setting the record for career goals with 86. (theahl.com)

Click here for Exclusives 02.22
• Phil Kessel likely to pass on University of Minnesota
• Gopher Great Brian Bonin Retires

Former Wild forward Jeremy Stevenson has been suspended 5 games by the ECHL.  He was asessed a match penalty for intent to injure on February 13th in a game that pitted his South Carolina Stingrays against the Mississippi Sea Wolves.  Stevenson has scored 12 points in 18 games for the South Carolina Stingrays this season and the team is 16-2 with him in the lineup.

Former Badger goalie Kirk Daubenspeck has impressed in the AHL since his recall from the South Carolina StingRays of the ECHL.  In three starts with the Pirates, Daubenspeck is 3-0-0 with a 0.59 goals against average and a .980 save percentage. He recorded back-to-back shutouts in his first two starts. (Courier & Post)

Adam Berkhoel made 28 saves to post his first professional shutout as the Gwinnett Gladiators beat the Florida Everblades 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Keith Ballard capped a 10-game road trip with an appearance in the AHL All Star Game.  He flew to Manchester with former Gopher Todd Richards, now an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Admirals.  Richards was the assistant coach for the AHL Canadian All Star Team.  Ballard participated in the Skills Competition on Sunday.  In the Rapid Fire competition, he scored on three two out of five shots against Jason LaBarbara.  He also scored in the Breakaway Relay again against LaBarbara.  In the All Star Game on Monday Ballard unfortunately tipped a puck into his own net giving the Canadians their first goal of the game. The Canadians scored four unanswered goals until PlanetUSA rallied. Brandon Bochenski scored late in the third period to close the score to 3-4 and Wild prospect Mikko Koivu tied the game in the third period.  Ballard finished the game -2.  Zach Parise earned an assist for PlanetUS A. Former Wild defenseman Travis Roche, now with the Chicago Wolves, played for the Canadian All Stars and finished -1.

Former Gopher defenseman Travis Richards has missed several games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, for whom he is an assistant captain. Richards is suffering severe back problems and may not be able to play in his home state when the Griffins face off against Wild affiliate Houston Aeros at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul March 7th.
 
Matt Koalska remains day-to-day for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after injury his leg/knee just before the All Star break.

While Thomas Vanek failed in his attempt to help Austria secure a berth to the 2006 Olympics the Latvian National team did win their pool and will compete in Turin in a year.  It is a fitting tribute to the legacy of Sergei Zholtok, who would have been on that team had he survived.  Look for the Latvian team to honor Zholtok at the World Championships this spring.

Dwayne Roloson is returning to Finland to finish out his contract.  His team would not release him from the terms of his deal but Roloson only has to complete the 11-game schedule before returning home.

Wild defenseman Andrei Zyuzin has signed to play with Severstal Cherepovets in Russia for the remainder of the season. 

Former Wild goaltender Jamie McLennan has signed to play in Great Britain with the Guilfdord Flames.


Quick Quotes:

"He's been a big part of our success. Honestly, he's been a huge part of it.  His work ethic in practice is what really impresses me. He does all the little things during practice and during a game that help a team win. When he goes into the corner it's his puck. I bet 95 percent of the time, when the puck goes into the corners or is along the boards he wins the puck. You don't play more than 150 games in the NHL without being able to do that well. He is starting to score, too. I didn't expect him to come in here and score a ton of goals, but he's starting to find his scoring touch"

- South Carolina StingRays head coach Jason Fitzsimmons on former Wild forward Jeremy Stevenson. (Post & Courier)

"What's been so confusing to me is how (the owners) state that they can't trust one another. If they can't, why should we trust them?"

- Brendan Morrison on the NHL owners demand for a salary cap because they exercise fiscal restraint with salaries. (Vancouver Province).

"The notion that the NHL can solve its problems with a salary cap is ludicrous. It will increase profits for the best teams, but it doesn't make the small-market teams viable. The disparity of revenues across the league is greater than in any other sport and there's no salary solution to that problem. Some teams have 25 times (the local TV revenue) of other teams. The only solution is to get rid of the small-market teams or subsidize them. Even if salaries were zero dollars per year, I question if some small-market teams would have enough revenue to cover costs. Blowing up the league is the likely outcome because the big-market teams don't see revenue sharing as being in their best interest,"

- Roger Noll, an economics professor at Stanford University who studies sports business issues on the NHL lockout. (CP)

Exclusive - Paul Martin responds to NHL cancellation

At 12:00 central time today Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the official cancellation of the 2004-2005 National Hockey League season.  Quick Facts spoke with New Jersey Devils forward and former Gopher All-American defenseman Paul Martin about the announcement.
 
"I'm bummed and confused," said Martin. 
 
Martin spent the weekend celebrating old times with his former Gopher teammates who were home for the AHL All Star break.  "As soon as (my agent) Ben (Hankinson) called Tuesday and said 'start packing' I was a bit worried about how I would feel." 
 
"But I went on the Source (the NHLPA website for players) last night and saw both proposals and letters from Gary (Bettman) and Bob (Goodenow), I didn't think there would be a deal," said a disappointed Martin.
 
"I don't know what to think," he said.  "All of a sudden we accept a cap. . . a lot of the players were upset we were negotiating a cap."
 
Paul said he really doesn't know what he is going to do now.  He still skates three times a week with other locked out players in the Twin Cities and said he still expects to continue doing so, including a scheduled skate at Blake School tonight.
 
Martin played several games in Fribourg Switzerland this winter but returned home in the hope that the season would resume and is not expected to sign another contract overseas to join other NHL players in exodus to Europe. 
 
He is, however, looking forward to representing USA Hockey at the IIHF World Championships in Austria this spring, "something to break things up, some fun playing again."
 
The Elk River native surprised some by playing in the National Hockey League the entire season as a rookie last year.  However, his contract with the Devils was only for a term of two years, meaning he will need to renegotiate a new deal before he can play in the NHL again.  Something that becomes more complicated without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and without a second season on which to base his performance.
 
"For me I was lucky, it was only one year, but I got to play in the World Cup too, so I had something.  Others guys don't have that."
 
Confused was how Martin described his response to today's announcement and his current feelings on the cancellation of the NHL season.  "I don't know what is going to happen now," he said.

02.13.05

The professional Gopher carnage continues this season:
 
• After missing more than a month of his rookie year with a fractured foot Bridgeport Sound Tigers center Matt Koalska suffered a hyperextended knee on Friday and left the game in the third period against the Hershey Bears.  The extent of the injury is unknown but the All Star break, which begins Sunday, will allow Koalska more time to heal.
• Troy Riddle also remains out of the Worcester IceCats lineup with a rib/oblique injury and is listed as day-today.
• Grant Potulny is home in the Twin Cities for the All Star break and is recovering from sports hernia surgery.  He has been off the active roster for the Binghamton Senators since the start of 2005.
• Travis Richards, Grand Rapids Griffin with the longest tenure, remains out with an ankle injury.
* Ken Gernander remains out for the Hartford Wolf Pack with a rib injury.
• Both John Pohl and Jeff Taffe are expected to miss the remainder of the season after both underwent surgery, Pohl for an injured thumb, Taffe for facial reconstruction for fractured orbital/cheek bones.

Alexander Daigle of the Minnesota Wild has signed with Forward Morges in the Swiss NLA.

Madison's Joe Frederick was waived by the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL.

Long Beach IceDogs forward Chris Kenady is tied for third in the ECHL in goals scored with 22.
 
Jake Taylor recently went down to the ECHL for a brief cup of coffee and was recalled to the Hartford Wolf Pack.  He was assisgned to Charlotte on the 7th and recalled on the 10th.

Erik Westrum has scored 10 goals for the Utah Grizzlies this season that's tied for tops on the team.  Two of those goals have been shorthanded tallies.

Bryce Lampman returned to the lineup for the Hartford Wolf Pack after missing a week due to injury.

Thomas Vanek was held scoreless in the Austrian's 4-0 victory against Khazakstan on Friday but was named Austria's player of the game in their 1-1 tie against France and NHL goaltender Cristobel Huet Friday.  Vanek scored on a 4-on-3 powerplay.  Wolf Pack defenseman Thomas Pock found Vanek with a cross-ice pass and Vanek chipped it in to tie the game.  Austria outshot France 33-16.  With a win the Austrians would have secured a berth to the 2006 Olympics in Turin.  As it is Vanek and the Austrians need a least a tie when they face the Ukraine Sunday.

Sebastien Bordeleau, who played for the Wild in 2001, welcomed newborn daughter Jade on Tuesday and arrived in Austria for the Olympic qualifying tournament Thursday.  Bordeleau has been playing in Switzerland for league champion SC Bern and is competing with Team France.

Darby Hendrickson wore an NHLPA fleece vest during his appearance on Kent Hrbek Outdoors, perhaps a subtle hint of the NHL labor dispute.  Hendrickson took a three-day flying fishing trip to Canada with his fellow Minnesota native Hrbek, for the show.
 
Former North Star Richard Matvichuk who spends his summers at his lake home in Northern Minnesota has signed to play with Slovan Bratislava.

Paul Martin was originally scheduled to participate in the Wild sponsored Pond Hockey tournament on Lake Phalen but the event was rescheduled to this weekend due to weather.  Martin previously commited with former teammate Jordan Leopold to participate in the Minnesota Vikings' Arctic Blast snowmobile event for the same weekend.
 
Quick Facts predicted last year that once it was realized that there would not be an NHL season this year more NHL players would sign in the UHL and ECHL once jobs in Europe were taken.  The trio of Red Wings, former Derian Hatcher, Chris Chelios and Kris Draper all have signed with the Motor City Mechanics of the UHL and were joined later by Bryan Smolinski and Sean Avery. 


Quick Facts Exclusive:

When Keith Ballard participates in the AHL All Star Classic February 13th & 14th in Manchester New Hampshire he will do so coming off a 10-day road trip with the Utah Grizzlies. 
Ballard was told of his All Star nod by his coach at the morning skate on Friday. "I couldn't belive it," he said.  Though excited and honored Ballard did admit he did have other plans. "I was kind of looking forward to a break," he said.

Teammate and friend Barry Tallackson was thrilled to see his former teammates be honored, despite the fact they left the program before the end of their eligibility.

"Its a very big accomplishment for them.  They're always going to be Gophers and were always going to be a family. and to see them do well is something to be proud of. "  

When asked if he had any regrets they weren't with the team this year Tallackson said,  "They're having a great career where they are.  We would love to have them here, they were the top two player si nthe year last year, it would be nice to hae them back no doubt, but we're very proud of them and what they're doing now.  They're going to have very long careers."

Ballard will head straight to Manchester following his game at Bradley Center against Milwaukee on Saturday the 12th.  He believes that he will likely participate in the accuracy shooting and/or perhaps the breakaway relay in the Skills Competition, shying away from the hardest shot contest because of the required stick.  

Before learning that he wouldn't be playing in the All Star game, Ballard was looking forward to the chance to play with former teammate Thomas Vanek on the PlanetWorld Stars team.  "It will be fun to play with Thomas again," said Ballard. 

When asked his thoughts on his former players being named to the AHL All Star team in their rookie year Gophers head coach Don Lucia said, "they'd look good in our lineup wouldn't they?"  I just wish they were WCHA All Stars, instead of American League All Stars, this year."  
"(Keith) wouldn't be a -22 for us" Lucia added.

Ballard will stop by the Twin Cities for a brief visit following the All Star showcase before heading back to join the Grizzlies for a game later in the week.


Quick Quotes:

"He's a relentless worker; he's tireless,  He's a good all-around team guy, and his attitude is always great. You can't always measure these things in statistics."

- Philadelphia Phantoms Head Coach John Stevens on Edina's Ben Stafford. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

"What's been so confusing to me is how (the owners) state that they can't trust one another. If they can't, why should we trust them?"

- Brendan Morrison on the NHL owners demand for a salary cap because they exercise fiscal restraint with salaries. (Vancouver Province).

“We were very disappointed last year when we were relegated from the top pool of the world championship in Czech Republic. Now we have a chance to do something good here. It has been a crazy last couple of days. But my wife and the kid are okay and we won, what more can you ask for?”

- Former Wild forward Sebastien Bordeleau on paying for Team France in the Olympic qualifying tournament. (IIHF.com)

Exclusive: Quick Facts has learned that highly touted defensive prospect Jamie McBain has committed to the University of Wisconsin Badgers.  That moves defensemen Tyson Dowzak, David Fischer and Trent Palm up the list of possible Gopher defensive recruits to join Kyle Okposo, Mike Carman, Erik Johnson and Peter Mueller in the University of Minnesota Men's Hockey freshman class of 2006. 

The wagering between players participating in this weekend's charity games in Duluth and Coleraine reportedly was escalating by day before the games on Saturday and Sunday.  Paul Martin, Jordan Leopold, Andrew Brunette were amongst those playing against Philip Kuba, Mark Parrish and Chris McAlpine.  The 'friendly' stakes were raised, as were the incidents of trash talking, prior to the weekend battles.  While the games were a vehicle to raise funds for the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association and the Coleraine/Greenway Association, the players ensured that golf games, cash and other incentives upped the ante to contribute to increased competition between the players and more exciting hockey for those that purchased tickets to the events.  The games were a nice opportunity for the locked out NHL skaters to play for something, anything, rather than just continuing to skate on their own or in group practice or scrimmage situations. 

The Great Lakes Classic Pond Hockey tournament was held this weekend in Superior, Minn. The tournament featured teams skating 4-on-4 without a goalie on a rink slightly smaller than regulation and with a goal six feet long by 10 inches high with games were divided into two 15 minute halves and no checking was allowed.  Tournament officials turned teams away after the field reached capacity last week.  The tournament champion qualifies for the 2006 World Pond Hockey Championships in Plaster Rock. (some info from DuluthNews)

Troy Riddle returned to the Worcester Ice Cats lineup Friday night after missing a few games with a rib injury.  He scored a goal and assist as the Cats beat the Lowell LockMonsters but reportedly reaggravated the rib injury and missed Saturday's game.
 
Troy Riddle is out of the Worcester IceCats game with a rib injury.  He isn't expected to be out long.

Adam Hauser may have been snubbed for an All Star nod - the game is being held on his Monarchs' home ice in Manchester - but he's still playing like an All Star.  Friday night Hauser held the Portland Pirates to one goal, stopping 22 shots as the Monarchs got the 4-1 victory.

Bryce Lampman had a goal and Jake Taylor added an assist as the Hartford Wolf Pack topped the Hershey Bears 6-1 Saturday night.  Taylor was +3 in the game.  Unfortunately Ken Gernander suffered a concussion during the game and is out of the lineup.

Going into the weekend the Bridgeport Sound Tigers were ranked 27th in scoring in the AHL, only the Utah Grizzlies were more snakebitten for scoring.   They certainly found their scoring touch this weekend.  The Tigers fell to the Providence Bruins Friday despite scoring 5 goals, losing to Boston's affiliate 7-5.  Bridgeport beat the Philadelphia Phantoms 2-1 Saturday night.  They Tigers went down 3 goals to the Hartford Wolf Pack on Sunday in front of a record crowd at Harbor Yard Arena but finally found their scoring touch, thanks in part to good specialty team play against the league's best penalty kill.  Bridgeport came back to win the game 6-4 in a game that took more than three hours to play.  Following the game fomer members of the New York Islanders put on a charity exhibition game in front of the more than 8,000 fans who also had an opportunity to have pictures taken with the Stanley Cup which also w as in attendance.  It was the largest crowd ever to see a hockey game at Harbor Yard Arena.

Former UW goaltender Kirk Daubenspeck was recalled from the ECHL to play for the Portland Pirates last week.  Sunday he got the chance to play and backstopped Washington Capitals' affiliate to a 5-0 shutout over the Worcester IceCats.  The IceCats have never won a game the former Badger has played against them.

Ben Stafford scored two goals and BJ Abel added a third as the Philadelphia Phantoms topped the Hartford Wolf Pack 5-1 Friday night. 
 
Thomas Vanek had an assist as the Rochester Americans shut out the Binghamton Senators 5-0 Friday night.  Vanek also earned an assist on the game-winner for the Amerks Saturday night as they beat the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2.  The weekend victories helped the Americans to a share of the league lead with the Manchester Monarchs.

The Utah Grizzlies edged the Manitoba Moose in a shootout Friday night 3-2.  Keith Ballard, the sole Grizzly named to the PlanetWorld All Star team had an assist in regulation and Erik Westrum had a goal giving Utah a 2-1 lead but Manitoba tied the score with less than a minute remaining with the goaltender pulled for an extra attacker.  Westrum and Ballard both missed in the shootout but Aaron Gavey and Fred Sjostrom scored to give the Grizzlied the win.  It was deja vu all over again Saturday night as Utah took a 2-1 lead into the last minute of play only to have the Moose tie the score with the goalie pulled.  Again the game remained tied following the overtime session.  Lee Goren opened the scoring for the Moose in the shootout but Erik Westrum scored twice giving the Grizzlies their second victory against the Moose for the weekend, this game won 3-2.
 
Brandon Bochenski had an assist and a goal for the Binghamton Senators Sunday, but the Syracuse Crunch came back to win in a shootout 3-2 with Joe Motzko scoring the deciding goal.

Josh Olson scored a hat trick for the San Antonio Rampage on Sunday edging Cincinnati 5-4 in a shootout Sunday night.  Olson notched the game-tying marker with less than 30 seconds left in the game to complete the hat trick.  He also scored the game-winner in the shootout.  Andrew Canzanello had joined the Mighty Ducks after playing in last week's ECHL All Star Game.  After captaining the ECHL All Star Game Luke Curtain was recalled to the Rampage from the Boardwalk City Bullies.

Despite losing to Cincinnati Sunday, the Ducks have gone 13-4-1-1 since Dec. 18, shortly after acquiring Casey Hankinson.  The Ducks currently sit at 23-21-1-3 on the season, good for 50 points and third place in the West Division.

Wyatt Smith had a goal and assist as the Milwaukee Admirals skated past the St. John's Maple Leafs Monday night 5-2.  Smith has 15 goals and 34 assists for this season, a huge improvement over last season's 16 points, but Smith also scored the Cup-winning goal for Milwaukee in the Calder Cup finals last year.

Jay Hardwick scored an assist on the overtime game-winner for the Corpus Christie IceRays on Sunday as they skated past the Austin IceBats 4-3.  It was the third assist in 40 games this season for the Warroad native.

Chris Hartsburg, son of former North Star Craig Hartsburg has 6 goals and 9 assists in 32 games with the Colorado Eagles of the CHL.  He is also a +4.

Nate Metcalf has 6 goals and 14 assists, and is a +12 for the Wichita Thunder of the CHL this year.

As of Sunday evening Jon Francisco's ECHL All Star jersey has a bid of $700 in an online auction benefitting charities.  Andrew Canzanello's game-worn jersey had a high bid of $550, Curtain's sweater was at $400.  Matt Hendricks' jersey had the highest bid as of Sunday, receiving a high bid of $1000.  Bids will be accepted until February 2nd at http://echlauction.at.edeal.com.

ECHL San Diego Gulls center Brian Gornick has 7 goals, 3 assists in the last 10 games.

Congratulations to Peoria Riverman assistant coach and sometime goaltender Luke Gruden and his wife Lynzie.  The couple welcomed their first child, the six pound, 14 ounce Brady, last Thursday.   Gruden followed up the arrival by dressing as the emergency backup for the Rivermen over the weekend.

Reg Berg scored four assists and the game-winning goal on a power play, giving the Floriday Everblades the 6-5 victory over the Louisiana Ice Gators on Saturday.  Berg's goal was Florida's franchise record fifth power-play goal of the night, and his line accounted for five of the six goals. David Lundbohm also had a goal for the Blades.

Mat Snesrud was a member of the UHL All Star Team that played in Glens Falls last weekend.  He was held without a point in the game.  Snesrud has 8 goals and 26 assists in 45 games with the Missouri River Otters.

Ben Clymer has 11 goals and 10 assists with HC Biel Bienne in the Swiss Nationaliga B since joining the team New Year's weekend.  His season ends February 3rd.

Brett Larson has two goals and three assists in 31 games with the Odense Bulldogs in the Danish Elite League.  Teammate Derek Herlofsky has an assist as the goaltender for the club.

The Wild's Marian Gaborik has returned to Slovakia after playing with Färjestads BK in Sweden.

Nick Angell is the second leading scorer for the Frisk-Asker Tigers in the Norwegian Elite League.  He has 14 goals and 15 assists in 36 games and has 131 minutes in penalties.  Teammate Marc Chouinard of the Wild has 9 goals and 5 assists in 11 games with the Tigers who are in 4th place in the league. 

Despite signing with ERC Ingolstadt last week Jamie Langenbrunner was unable to play in the weekend's games as he was not yet licensed. 

The AHL All Star Roster reads like this year's NHL YoungStars game should have.  Players like Thomas Vanek, Kari Lehtonen, Zach Parise and Keith Ballard would likely have all been playing in the NHL had their not been a lockout.

The Minnesota Wild plan to lay off 11 employees in the coming weeks as a result of the NHL lockout.


Quick Speculation:

Bob Naegele, the CEO of the Minnesota Wild makes his home in Naples, Florida, home of the ECHL Florida Everblades.  The Wild's primary ECHL affiliate, the Louisiana Ice Gators are under operation by the league who took over ownership this season to allow the team to finish the season.  The Gators are expected to fold following the conclusion of this year leaving the Wild without a AA affiliate.  Now comes word from Naples that current the 'Blades ownership group, KTB Sports, has signed a letter of intent to sell the franchise to an as of yet unnamed buyer.  Quick Facts speculates that buyer could be MSE, the ownership group of the Wild. Germain Arena, home to the Everblades, is included in the sale. Other names that have popped up as prospective owners include Robert Brooks, co-owner of the Wheeling Nailers, and Frank D'Alessandro, a Fort Myers realtor.


Quick Take:

This year's IIHF World Championships to be held in Austria will likely be one of the best in recent memory.  Without the conflict of the NHL the rosters of national teams playing for medals will be packed with talent.  This, hopefully, will be most evident with Team USA.  Last year USA Hockey tried a blackmail approach to lure NHL players, who repeatedly refuse the call to represent their nation in the spring tournament, by claiming that those who played in the World Championships would receive preference for the World Cup of Hockey roster spots.  The threat was not followed through with only three members of the World Championship roster also playing in the World Cup.  Team USA's roster will suffer this season for the number of AHL players who will be unavailable due to the Calder Cup playoffs, players like Brandon Bochenski and Zach Parise will likely be unavailable, but names to look for on this year's World Championship roster should include:  Team USA veterans Craig Johnson and Brett Hauer both play in the German professional leagues and are virtual sure-bets to make the team.  Look for Paul Martin, Jordan Leopold, Mark Parrish, Matt Cullen, Keith Ballard, Erik Westrum, Erik Rasmussen and Darby Hendrickson to all be considered for the Team USA roster at this year's tournament in Innsbruck, Austria.  All have represented their country in the past, with Westrum being one of the standout players helping Team USA earn a Bronze Medal in last year's World Championships.

The World Championships could be the only opportunity to see NHL players in competition as IIHF President Rene Fasel had stated in the past that unless a new NHL CBA be reached by the end of January 2005, NHL players would not be allowed to participate in the 2006 Olympics in Turino, Italy.  While no one can say for certain what impact playing the Olympics without NHL players for the first time since Nagano would be, the most signifigant effect will be felt amongst the minor leagues and college ranks.  In the past the University of Minnesota lost players to the US Olympic team for full seasons.  While that would be unlikely, a USA roster without NHL players, would most probably consist of players already playing in Europe, minor league players whose teams allowed them to be released for the term of Olympic competition, and collegiate players.


Quick Take II:

How exactly can NHL players agree to a new CBA based on a salary cap when there is no agreement on the actual finances of the NHL  More than a few NHL owners and managers have been convicted of fraud in the last few years.  The NHLPA is expected to take their word for the figure on which to base a fixed salary to revenue structure?  Until a third party, whether that be a mediator or an auditor, is brought into the fray, there will never be a resolution to this conflict.


Quick Quotes:

"I'm optimistic. I based this on the fact that the Thursday meetings ended and the parties were not bad mouthing each other. That tells me that the lines of communication are still open and that they are looking for a solution."

- Minnesota agent Neil Sheehy on his hopes for an NHL resolution. (Stan Fischler, msgnetwork.com)


"It's a great cause, what we're doing. Hopefully we lighten their day."

- Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies captain Luke Curtain on the Bullies' second annual Face-Off Against Kids Cancer where area children are paired with different players at various events and games. (Atlantic City Press)

"Curtin's a big, strong guy. The knock on him was that his skating was average, but I thought it was fine.  I thought he was the best two-way guy in the (ECHL) last year. He can play both sides of the puck. He's a smart player, and he sees the ice. He knows where to put the puck."

- New York Islanders coach Steve Stirling on Luke Curtain.  Curtain wasn't signed by the Islanders to an AHL contract this season due to the NHL lockout. (Atlantic City Press)

"They want to have a partnership with the players. They need to have a partnership with themselves."

- Jeremy Roenick on the NHL owners and his believe that revenue sharing is mandatory for any new CBA. (ESPN.com)

NEWSBREAK: Keith Ballard, Thomas Vanek, Zach Parise and Brandon Bochenski have all been named to the 2005 PlanetUSA AHL All Star Team.  Vanek and Parise were voted starters by AHL fans. Parise is second in AHL rookie scoring with 31 points for the Albany River Rats.  Vanek is tied for the rookie lead in goals with 18, including 10 power-play markers and has a +3 rating with the Rochester Americans.  Bochenski leads all rookies with 36 points and is a +7 for the Binghamton Senators.  Ballard has two goals, both scored on the powerplay, and 12 assists playing all situations with the Utah Grizzlies. All four players would most likely be playing in the NHL had their not been a lockout this season.
 
The 2005 AHL All Star Classic will be played in Manchester, New Hampshire.  The All Star Skills Competition is held on Sunday, February 13th with the All Star Game scheduled on Monday, February 1st.  The All Star Game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. 
(some info from the AHL).

Cloquet's Jamie Langenbrunner has signed to play with ERC Ingolstadt in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.

10 players from each Colorado College and the University of Wisconsin are nominated for the Hobey Baker award, University of Michigan comes in with 12 nominees, the most of any school.  The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers have 11 nominees, Chris Harrington, Andy Sertich, Judd Stevens, Alex Goligoski, Barry Tallackson, Gino Guyer, Jake Fleming, Tyler Hirsch, Kellen Briggs, Danny Irmen and Ryan Potulny are all nominated.  Potulny was the leading vote-getter as of Monday evening, first day of preliminary voting, with 362 votes.  Leading all nominees was Colin Murphy, the forward for Michigan Tech that helped lead the Huskies to a weekend sweep of the Gophers. There are a total of 49 nominees for the Hobey Baker from the WCHA.  Those registered can vote for their favorite Hobey candidates once a day at HobeyBaker.com.  Unfortunately the website was down for part of Wednesday.
 
Troy Riddle is out of the Worcester IceCats game with a rib injury.  He isn't expected to be out long.

According to Ryan Stewart of the Greenville Grrrowl the return of Joey Martin to the team has been a welcome addition.  Martin missed several months with post-concussion syndrome but returned shortly after New Year's.  Stewart said that Martin is still adjusting to play but his work ethic and enthusiasm is appreciated by the coaching staff.  Martin has been added to the power play unit where he has reportedly shown some offensive flare.  He has yet to notch his first official professional point.

Roseau's Dustin Byfuglien was named WHL player of month last month. The defenseman leads Prince George in goals, assists, points, plus/minus, PIMs, powerplay goals and shooting percentage.  Byfuglien is a Chicago Blackhawks draft choice.

Thomas Vanek scored a pair of goals during mid-week play for the Rochester Americans.  He scored the third marker in the Amerks' 5-1 victory Tuesday against the Cleveland Barons and earned an assist on the fourth.  Wednesday Vanek got on the board again this time with an early first period goal against the Hamilton Bulldogs.  The Amerks scored three more goals in the first.  Hamilton answered back with a powerplay goal in the second and added a late third period tally when Vanek took an ill-advised slashing penalty late in the game making the score 4-2.

Bryan Lundbohm had an assist on the game-winning goal for the Milwaukee Admirals as they topped the Houston Aeros 3-2 Tuesday.  He was held scoreless and went -1 Wednesday as the Ads were felled by the San Antonio Rampage 3-2.

Zach Parise finally got back on the scoreboard Monday with a powerplay goal against the Philadelphia Phantoms.  The Albany River Rats couldnt hold on to the lead, however, giving up three third period goals to Philly.  Ben Stafford had an assist on the game-winner.
 
Parise showed his scoring prowess Wednesday scoring two goals, including the overtime game-winner leading the Rats over the Worcester IceCats 4-3 Wednesday.  Mike Stuart was -3 for the Cats.

Josh Langfeld had two goals including the late third period game-winner, a shorthanded tally, as the Binghamton Senators topped the Providence Bruins 5-4 Wednesday night.  Brandon Bochenski had the game-tying goal in the third, assisted by Andy Hedlund, who had three helpers in the game.
 
Andrew Canzanello and Jon Francisco each scored an assist in the ECHL All Star Game Wednesday night.  The American Conference jumped out to a 2-0 lead but after that it was all National Conference, scoring 4 unanswered goals.  National Captain Luke Curtain was held scoreless in the game.  Former Wild goaltending prospect Barry Brust had an assist on the last goal in the third period.  Brust was a last minute replacement for the National Team. In the SKills Competition Curtain, Canzanello and the American Conference's Matt Hendricks all scored during the breakaway relay.  Canzanello also won the individual puck control relay.

Reed Larson's Team NY Islanders didn't fare well in the Esso 3-on-3 tournament in Calgary last weekend losing 4-5 to Calgary and 3-2 to Edmonton.  Reportedly the players from the Islanders and Blackhawks teams were at a slight disadvantage after checking out the local watering holes Friday night before the games at the Stampede. Over 6,000 fans showed up for the afternoon games and the final where the Boston Bruins team topped the defending champion Vancouver Canucks 2-1.  Former Moose goalie Tom Draper played well according to Larson.

Shjon Podein will return from playing hockey in Sweden in April at which time he will be working with his Children's Foundation to put on a fundraising event, likely a concert, in Minneapolis to raise money for his charity.  This will be an additional event to his annual Celebrity Party and Golf Tournament held the last weekend in June in Rochester.  The Golf Tournament is already filled for the 2005 event but there are opportunitites to participate with the Celebrity Party the night before.


Quick Quote:

"Some people believe the NHL will be out one to two years and they're saying, 'Do I want to put my son into [the WHL] when they're not going to get drafted.  Why not explore the U.S. college ranks?'"

- Moose Jaw Warriors General Manager Chad Lang (Globe & Mail)

Former Gopher Jeff Taffe may be out for the season after undergoing reconstructive facial surgery.  Taffe suffered multiple fractures to the orbital bone (cheekbone) during a fight in December.  Taffe underwent surgery in Arizona, performed by a Phoenix Coyotes physician, having three metal plates placed to stabilize the fractures and repair the damage.  Reports indicate that the Coyotes most likely do not want Taffe risking further and more permanent damage by playing for the Utah Grizzlies this season.  Should he return to play with a full face mask there remains a large risk for injury from a hit to the side of the head that a shield would not protect against.  The Grizzlies are at the bottom of the AHL standings and will not make the playoffs this season so the short time Taffe could play with the team if he returned isn't likely worth the risk for further injury he would incur.

Taffe isn't the only former Gopher with injury trouble in the pros this season.  John Pohl is back in Minnesota and will likely undergo surgery to repair a broken hand, ending his season with the Worcester IceCats.  Grant Potulny is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia.  Travis Richards currently missing games with the Grand Rapids Griffins due to an ankle injury.  Joey Martin recently returned to the Greenville Grrrowl lineup after missing several months after suffering a concussion.  Ryan Kraft recently was knocked off the active roster for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after he suffered a concussion from being hit in the jaw by a stick, but is expected to return soon.  Earlier this year Matt Koalska missed over a month with the Tigers as a result of a broken foot.  Jake Taylor only missed four games for the Hartford Wolf Pack after taking a puck to the face in practice, but played with a full face mask so he could return.  Reggie Berg just returned to the Florida Everblades after missing several months recovering from knee surgery.  Matt DeMarchi has missed parts of the season with back ailments.
 
Friday night the Bridgeport Sound Tigers edged the Albany River Rats 3-2  in a shootout. Matt Koalska missed his shot in only his second shootout attempt, Zach Parise also missed.  The win stopped an 8-game losing skid for the Tigers.

Keith Ballard notched an assist on Aaron Gavey's game-winning goal for the Utah Grizzlies Friday night.  It was a rare win for the Grizzlies ending an eight-game losing streak. "It felt really good" said Ballard after the win.

Adam Hauser suffered only his 5th loss of the season as the Binghamton Senators topped the Manchester Monarchs 4-1 Friday night.  Josh Langfeld and Brandon Bochenski each had a goal and assist for the Sens.

Langfeld also scored what would become the game-winning goal for the Binghamton Senators leading them to victory 4-3 over the St. John's Maple Leafs Saturday. He also had two assists in the game that helped put the surging Sens atop the East Division standings.

Bochenski had two assists and a powerplay goal on Sunday leading the Senators to their 8th consecutive victory, this time against the Hershey Bears 5-3.

Joe Motzko scored the deciding goal in the Syracuse Crunch's 2-1 shootout victory over the Rochester Amerks.  Thomas Vanek was the only shooter to score for Rochester but both Motzko and Hartigan found the back of the net for the Crunch.
 
Bryce Lampman scored the only goal for the Hartford Wolf Pack in their 4-1 loss to the Worcester IceCats Friday night. Mike Stuart had an assist and Troy Riddle finished +1 on the night for the Cats.

Lampman had two assists and went +3 as the Hartford Wolf Pack beat the Lowell Lock Monsters 6-4 Saturday night.
 
Bryan Lundbohm scored the game-winner for the Milwaukee Admirals friday night as the Ads shut out the San Antonio Rampage 4-0.  Wyatt Smith scored the second goal for Milwaukee.

Lundbohm continued his recent hot streak Saturday, scoring a goal for the Milwaukee Admirals against the Hamilton Bulldogs Saturday.  Wyatt Smith had an assist on Tony Hrkac's late tally that helped the Ads tied the score late.  The Bulldogs eventually won the game in a shootout 4-3.

Matt Koalska missed on his second ever shootout attempt Friday night but his Bridgeport Sound Tigers still beat the Albany River Rats 3-2.  Zach Parise was held without a point in regulation and in the shooutout.  The victory ended an 8-game skid for the Tigers.  The Tigers fell to the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-1 Saturday night.  Ryan Kraft remains out of the Tigers' lineup due to a concussion.
 
Casey Hankinson assisted on the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks' game-winning goal in overtime as they topped the Hamilton Bulldogs 4-3 Friday night.

Thomas Vanek scored for the Rochester Americans in the shootout Saturday night but both Mark Hartigan and Joe Motzko scored for the Syracuse Crunch, giving them the 2-1 victory.

The future of the Wild, if they ever return, was in action Sunday night.  Pierre Marc Bouchard and Mikko Koivu both scored third period goals to tie the Grand Rapids Griffins at three all.  The game went into a shootout but all Houston Aeros players were turned away by Joey McDonald while Mike Smith allowed three Griffins shooters to score giving Grand Rapids the 3-2 win.  Travis Richards missed another game with an ankle injury.

Colin Stuart was recalled to the Chicago Wolves after spending a brief time in the ECHL with the Gwinnett Gladiators.

A luxury boat belonging to Wild Goaltender Manny Fernandez was on display at the Boat Show recently held at the Minneapolis Convention Center.  The boat was reportedly a new purchase for the netminder who is currently playing in Europe during the lockout.

The Esso 3 on 3 Pond Hockey Classic tournament was held this weekend in Calgary.  Reed Larson played on the NY Islanders' team with former Minnesoa Moose goalie Tom Draper.  Joel Otto played on the Calgary Flames' alumni team.  According to their website, The 3 on 3 Hockey Classic has been staged in Calgary for the last eight years, and through corporate sponsorship and ticket sales, has been successful in raising over $985,000 for Calgary Minor Hockey, Kidsport and selected charities. The 3 on 3 Hockey Classic features 8 NHL Alumni teams participating in a one day, 11 game tournament.  The Vancouver Canucks alumni were the defending champions.

Former Minnesota Wild defenseman Jason Marshall has signed to play with HC Plzen in the Slovakia.

Goaltender Adam Hauser is ranked the 18th top prospect for the LA Kings by Hockeysfuture.com.  Hauser is currently ranked as the third best netminder in the AHL.

Did you know - that a goaltender can freeze the puck behind the net and goal line as long as some part of his body is in crease?  If he is not in the crease then the opposition would receive a two-minute minor penalty. (Thanks to Greg Shepherd, WCHA director of officiating for that tidbit)

The ECHL All Star Game is being held this Wednesday.  Jon Francisco has been added to the roster as a replacement for a player under recall to the AHL.  The 23-year-old Francisco has 20 points (9g-11a) in 34 games with the Reading Royals.

EXCLUSIVE: Grant Potunly underwent successful surgery to repair a sports hernia and will be out of the lineup for the Binghamgton Senators of the AHL for at least six weeks.  Potulny saw a specialist in Montreal last week to definitively diagnose the abdominal injury that had been bothering him for weeks and progressively got worse until he was forced to stop playing.  Potulny's surgery does coincide with the AHL All Star Break in mid-February.  He will likely return shortly after play resumes after the break.

ALSO: Former Gopher John Pohl's season may be over.  Pohl suffered a hand fracture in mid-December while playing with the Worcester IceCats of the AHL.  He has reportedly returned home to Minnesota and is considering surgery to repair the fracture, which would effectively end his season.  Pohl has been in and out of the Worcester IceCats lineup all season, both as an injury and healthy scratch.  In 13 games played with the Cats this season Pohl has three goals and nine assists.  Prior to the injury, it was likely Pohl would be traded.
 
Troy Davenport is leaving Cornell University and returning to the USHL.  Davenport is the goaltender who lead Simley to the Minnesota High School Hockey Championships two years ago.  Davenport played for Green Bay of the USHL before joining Cornell.
 
Luke Curtain was named a Captain for the 2005 Coors Light ECHL All-Star Game on January 26 at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pa. Curtin will be making his second start and third appearance in an ECHL All-Star Game. While playing for Baton Rouge, Curtin was named as a starter for the Southern Conference in 2000 and was selected to the Southern Conference roster in 1999. (ECHL)

Ryan Kraft does not have a broken jaw and is listed day-to-day for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers after taking a puck off his chin Saturday night during a game. The Tigers have lost 110 man-games to injury so far this season.

The Sound Tigers, farm team of the NY Islanders, will play a game on the Island in Nassau Coliseum on February 18th.

Former North Star Basil McRae will play with Barry Melrose and Steve Martinson on the Adirondack Red Wing Alumni team against ESPN personalities Darren Pang, John Saunders, John Buccigross and the rest of the UHL Commissioners Team in an exhibition game during UHL All Star Game festivities this weekend in Glens Falls.  Proceeds from the game and a jersey auction will benefit the Ronald McDonald House and the United Way.

Bryan Lundbohm opened the scoring for the Milwaukee Admirals against the San Antonio Rampage Tuesday night.  Early in the third period Josh Olson tied the score at two all, but Milwaukee's Dan Hamhuis, assisted by Wyatt Smith, scored again for the Admirals, what proved the be the game-winner.  Smith added an insurance goal as the Ads topped the San Antonio Rampage 4-2.
 
Wednesday, in a head-to-head matchup of two of the leading candidates for AHL Rookie of the Year honors, Thomas Vanek and Zach Parise, it was Vanek who came out on top, on his birthday no less, with the Rochester Americans shutting out the Albany River Rats 4-0.  Vanek had an assist on the game-winner but was held without a goal despite five shots on net.  Parise was held scoreless on two shots.

Mikko Koivu scored the game-winner, assisted by Kyle Wanvig and Stephane Veilleux, as the Houston Aeros shut out the Edmonton Road Runners Wednesday night.
 
Casey Hankinson scored the insurance goal in a shootout as the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks topped in-state rival Cleveland 4-3 Wednesday night.  Hankinson's goal was the third in the first round for the Ducks, only one Barons skater tallied against Cinci in the shootout.

Jake Taylor was a +2 and Ken Gernander and Bryce Lampman assisted on the game-winning goal for the Hartford Wolf Pack as they downed the Springfield Falcons 5-0 Wednesday. 

Voting continues for the Hobey Baker Award nominees.  Ryan Potulny is currently leading nominees with Mike Sertich and Kellen Briggs second and third respectively.  All players receiving 25 nominations will be included in the voting round.

Matt Snesrud was named an All Star and will play in the UHL All Star Game representing the Missouri River Otters and the Team Mountain Dew on January 24th. Snesrud is third among all UHL defensemen in scoring with 26 points (6, 20) and he has a solid plus/minus rating of plus-6. 

Center Yannick Carpentier is one point shy of passing Richard Keyes for third place on the Michigan K-Wings All-Time points list. He is also three assists shy of tying Minnesotan Matt Loen for third place on the K-Wings All-Time assist list.

USA Hockey, the governing body for the sport and the chief advocate for the spread of the game among young people, had nearly 25,000 under-18 teams registered last year, a total of some 366,000 players, up from 166,000 in 1991. That includes more than 48,000 girls, a nearly eightfold increase in the same time period. (New York Times)

Angela Ruggiero has signed to play with the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL.  Ruggiero is considered one of the top womens hockey players in the world.

Installation of the new video scoreboards at Mariucci Arena is hoped to be completed by the second week in February.  As well as the new video replay boards the installation includes a wireless camera, a content delivery system and an instant replay server.  Equipment costs for both Williams and Mariucci Arena video upgrades totals $725,700.


Quick Quotes:

"The Mayor certainly supports fiscally responsible management of Target Center, including maximizing the revenue brought in for additional events in the facility, but he does not get involved in the day-to-day management of Target Center."

- Laura Sether, Senior Policy Aide and Press Secretary for Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak in response to the management company for Target Center rejecting the World Hockey Association's overtures to possibly locate a franchise for the new league in the building owned by the city.


"For the past two and a half years I've heard it quite a bit — too much for what it probably means to both of us. As far as I'm concerned it's always been team against team but the media always makes it Parise vs. Vanek and Vanek vs. Parise. Individual success is not big for me. Winning is."

- Thomas Vanek when asked about another head-to-head matchup against fellow AHL rookie Zach Parise. (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)


 "There's no intrinsic economic benefit from building a sports facility.  You have to look at the details of the financing, the facility and the location."

- Andrew Zimbalist, a leading sports economist who teaches at Smith College. (NY Times)


 "Mat has been playing both ends of the ice very well. He's making the power play accountable, and he's just doing a lot of the little things, keeping the game simple. He's one of the best skaters in the league defensively, and he makes good decisions with the puck."

- Missouri River Otters Head Coach Ken Kuminski on Minneapolis native Mat Snesrud.


Quick Speculation:

Quick Facts has learned that top US Prospect Phil Kessel is most likely to commit to the University of Wisconsin but will probably wait until visiting the University of Minnesota on February 19th to formally announce.
 
Quick Facts sources also indicate that the most likely additional recruit for the 2006 Gopher freshman class will be Jamie McBain, joining Mike Carman, Kyle Okposo, Peter Mueller and Erik Johnson who have all committed to the program.


Quick Take:

"If or when it were ever to happen, we would review the relevant documentation and make an appropriate determination. We choose not to deal in hypotheticals." 

- Bill Daly on the possibility that control of Lord Stanley's cup may be wrested from the NHL by a movement in Canada. (Toronto Star)
 
However his statement is ironic in that he states that the league does not deal in hypotheticals but their entire argument for a salary cap and their denial of the NHLPA's recent proposal is entirely based on a hypothetical view of revenue and expenses.  The NHL states that the salary rollback offered would be more than made up for in two years, but that is hypothetically based on the premise that NHL owners are too stupid to learn from their previous mistakes and would quickly make them again. 
 
Everything in the NHL CBA labor dispute has been hypothetical.  Until someone sits down and gets a real accounting of the exact revenue and income of the NHL's teams there can never be an agreement because the principle the NHL is clinging to is that the only way to acheive cost certainty is through a salary cap while the players insist that other methods can be used to ensure competitive balance and bring finances back to a manageable level for all teams. 
 
That elusive number, that hypothetical number is what is necessary to have any hope for a return of the NHL. And the NHL will have to accept that hypothetical or they will have to discover the hypotheticals of what losing two entire NHL seasons will bring to the sport and the future of the league.

CLICK HERE for a Quick Facts Exclusive Feature
An Interview with Grant Potulny

Keith Ballard and Erik Westrum finished an 8-game road trip in Rochester against Thomas Vanek and the Americans on Sunday.  Prior to the game they were outscored 30-5 and shut out three times without leading scorer Jeff Taffe, who is recovering from facial surgery after suffering a fractured orbital bone in a on-ice fight.  Erik Westrum was called on a penalty late in the third giving the Amerks a penalty shot but David LeNeveau made the stop.  Keith Ballard was the victim of a nasty spear for which Jason Pominville was ejected from the game.  Ballard was on the ice in the last minute of play with the Grizzlies on a two-man advantage powerplay with LeNeveau pulled.  Ballard and his teammates had several opportunities but Utah couldn't capitalize, losing 2-3.  Thomas Vanek was scoreless on 6 shots for the Americans.
 
Former Gopher Joey Martin was activated from injured reserve for the Greenville Grrrrowl on Friday.  Martin has been out of the lineup since October after suffering a concussion during practice. He returned to the Grrrowl and played on Saturday, a 6-3 victory against the Pee Dee Pride. 

The Amerks played their third game in three days Sunday, coming off a 5-1 loss to the Binghamton Senators Saturday night, bringing Rochester's five game winning streak to a halt.  Grant Potluny remains out of the Sens lineup due to an abdominal injury.

Saturday night Karl Goehring was yanked from the Syracuse Crunch net, twice.  Crunch coach Greg Agnew claimed it was out of mercy.  According to the Syracuse Post-Standard Agnew started Goehring, then replaced him with Penner in the second, then pulled Penner after one shot, then subbed Penner back in for Goehring for the entire third. The Crunch fell 4-2 to the Cleveland Barons. Joe Motzko scored one of the Crunch goals. 

Josh Olson scored the opening goal for the San Antonio Rampage Saturday night helping the Rampage to the 2-1 victory against the Edmonton Road Runners.

The Houston Aeros didn't have a strong outing in front of Wild coach Jacques Lemaire Sunday as they fell to the Manitoba Moose 3-1.  Mikko Koivu, assisted by Brent Burns scored the only Houston goal after the Moose has staked a 3-0 lead going into the third.  Jesse Schultz, younger brother of Wild defenseman Nick Schultz, plays for the Moose as a Vancouver prospect.  The younger Schultz was signed as a free agent by former GM Brian Burke after going undrafted.
 
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers played their third game in three days Sunday, playing without Ryan Kraft.  Kraft took a puck to the face in Saturday's loss requiring several stitches.  The possibility remains that Kraft suffered a broken jaw as well, he will be reexamined on Monday.  Former Denver captain Ryan Caldwell scored his first goal of his professional career Saturday, just as a power play expired.  The Lowell Lock Monsters ended up on top in the game, 3-1 giving Bridgeport their 7th consecutive loss.  The Tigers are without all of their top scorers and due to injury.  Matt Koalska returned after missing several games due to injury but remains scoreless despite strong play.  Koalska has reportedly changed his game to show more of a gritty effort especially since he doesn't have the opportunity to showcase his playmaking ability with so many of the top point-getters for the Tigers out of the lineup.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers will host Scout Weekend next Sunday with hundreds of Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts expected to be in attendance.  Also attending the weekend's festivities will be Lord Stanley himself.  Photos taken with the Stanley Cup will cost $10 with all proceeds going to the Children's Glaucoma foundation. There will also be an All Star game held following the Tigers' weekend matchup against the Hartford Wolf Pack.  Expected to play in the exhibition game are Brad Park, Ken Hodge, Jim Craig, Ken Morrow and John Bucyk.
 
The Philadelphia Phantoms game against Albany originally scheduled for Sunday next week was rescheduled for Monday when the Eagles beat the Vikings and will play at the same time in the NFC Conference Final. 

In a sign that the NHL armageddon has indeed arrived, the NHL's official puck supplier has laid off half its staff. After suffering through a terrible Christmas season, InGlasCo, of Sherbrooke, Que., laid off 20 of about 40 employees from a plant that normally produces about 300,000 pucks along with souvenirs for the 30 NHL teams. (CHL)

David Hale is out of the Albany River Rats lineup with a kidney problem. In honor of his milestone 344th point with the Hartford Wolf Pack making him the franchise's all time leading scorer, Ken Gernander received a framed team autographed photo inscribed "Courageous Captain, Outstanding Player, And An Even Better Person."

Aaron Fox is the leading scorer in the 2.Eishockey Bundesliga with 20 goals and 22 assists in 32 games with EHC Freiburg Wölfe.  Teammate Geno Parrish has 4 goals and 22 assists in 32 games.  Fox was recently resigned with the team to play next season as well. Former Gopher Cory Laylin has left the Rockford IceHogs of the UHL to accept a contract to play for Freiburg, joining Fox and Parrish.

TJ Guidarelli leads the Deutsche Oberliga Süd in scoring with 25 goals and 40 assists in 29 games for SC Reissersee.  Mike Muller is the leading scorer amongst defensemen with 16 goals and 18 assists in 26 games for EV Ravensburg.  Jay Woodcroft, the brother of Wild video coordinator Todd Woodcroft, is ranked as the 9th leading scorer in the same German minor league with 17 goals and 23 assists for the Stuttgart Wizards.

The Minnesota Wild's Pascal Dupuis has signed with HC Ajoie of the Swiss Nationaliga A along with Montreal Canadiens forward Pierre Dagenais. Ajoie is ranked the worst team in the league.

Wild defenseman Alex Henry signed to play with ESV Kaufbeuren 2.Eishockey Bundesliga.

Tray Tuomie has transferred from SSI Vipiteno Broncos in Italy to ERV Schweinfurt in Germany's.  

In a WCHA trifecta Brandon Bochenski leads all AHL rookies in scoring with 15 goals and 15 assists in 30 games; Thomas Vanek leads in goals scored,16 and Zach Parise leads in assists,21.

Jake Riddle, brother to Troy, has played 18 games scoring 3 goals and 8 assists with 50 penalty minutes with the Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL since being traded from Wheeling to join Troy in Indiana.  Riddle was activated from injured reserve recently.  The elder Riddle only played a few games with his little brother because he was promoted to the AHL Worcester IceCats shortly after the acquisition of Jake.

Reggie Berg was activated from injured reserve by the Florida Everblades.  Berg suffered a knee injury early in the season and was the leading scorer in the ECHL when he was hurt.  Berg returned after missing 30 games on Saturday against the Columbia Inferno.  He scored in his first game back, chipping a shot into the upper left corner of the net at 15:38 of the second period. In the third period, Matt Hendricks converted on the power play to tie the game at three a little over 12 minutes into the period, forcing the game into overtime but the Inferno ended up on top 3-2. (some info from Florida Everblades)

Former Gopher Craig Johnson is the third leading scorer in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Playing with the Frankfurt Lions Johnson has 16 goals and 23 assists in 36 games with the Lions.  Frankfurt was knocked out of the European Champions Cup tournament this weekend in St. Petersburg Russia, falling 3-6 to Kärpät Oulu of the Finnish League. 

Avangard Omsk also made it to the Gold Medal game in the IIHF sponsored tournament. Omsk were lead to the Gold Medal game by former Wild forward Maxim Sushinsky who scored three goals and two assists against HV71 Jönköping to earn the berth.  Omsk won the Gold Medal on Sunday, beating Kärpät 2-1.  Jaromir Jagr scored the game-winner, with an assist to Sushinsky.

Taking in the Gophers' game against the Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks' at Xcel Energy Center Friday night were more than a few NHL scouts, among them former North Star Gilles Meloche.


Quick Quotes:

"We shot ourselves in the foot, and that was unacceptable in the first two periods.  We can't wait until the third until we start playing hockey. We're making stupid mistakes right now."

- Joe Motzko on his Crunch loss to Cleveland Saturday night (Syracuse Post-Standard).


"He has one of the best shots on the team, as far as one-timers go.  That was an NHL shot."

- Rampage forward Greg Jacina on Josh Olson's goal on Saturday. (San Antonio Express News)


 "There's no intrinsic economic benefit from building a sports facility.  You have to look at the details of the financing, the facility and the location."

- Andrew Zimbalist, a leading sports economist who teaches at Smith College. (NY Times)


 "It's great that they are having success. I love them. I love rooting for them. It's tough to keep up with every game, but I check USA Today every week to see where they are in the standings and how they did every week."

- Former Gopher Travis Richards on this year's success of the Golden Gopher Men's Hockey team

CLICK HERE for a Quick Facts Exclusive Feature
An Interview with Grant Potulny

The WHA scheduled a press conference January 13th and was expected to announce the launch of a spring hockey league.  However after the NHL canceled their Board of Governors meeting the WHA canceled their press conference.  The WHA had expected to begin play this fall but arena lease issues and questionable ownership groups forced the league to sell the name and logos.  A new group hopes to launch the league this spring to take advantage of the NHL lockout.
 
The Minnesota Wild's ECHL affiliate, the Louisiana Ice Gators, have been taken over by the league for the remainder of the season.  on Thursday that the Board of Governors has voted to terminate the membership of Gator Play, LLC in the ECHL and approved the operation of the Louisiana IceGators by a corporation which will be owned, at least in part, by ECHL Properties LLC for the balance of the 2004-05 season.  The move preserves ECHL hockey for the fans of Louisiana and ensures the completion of the 2004-05 schedule. (ECHL)

The University of Minnesota Men's Hockey Class of 2004 will be conducting their summer hockey camps again this summer.  Camps are likely to be held in Edina, Brooklyn Park or Columbia Park and Buffalo and will be open to squirts, mites and pee wees.  Paul Martin, Joey Martin, John Waibel, Troy Riddle, Grant Potulny and Matt Koalska will be instructors. The camp website, back-2-backplayerscamp.com, should be active by next week for more details.

Rallying back from a 3-0 deficit, the United States University Select Team skated to a 3-3 tie with Neumann College (NCAA Division III) in exhibition at The Gardens Ice House tonight. Team USA will depart for Innsbruck, Austria, tomorrow for the Jan. 12 start of the 2005 Winter World University Games.  Blaine's Eric Johnson of Weber State University scored USA's second goal of the game. (USA Hockey)

Chris Snow, the Wild beat writer for the Star Tribune last year, has left the paper to take a job on the Boston Red Sox beat.  Snow, who is from the east, took over at the Strib from Tom Jones who returned to Tampa Bay after three years covering the Wild.  The StarTribune now has no one specifically assigned to cover NHL hockey.

Wednesday night Ken Gernander scored his 344th point with Hartford Wolf Pack franchise on an assist on the opening goal of the Pack's game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.  That point broke a tie with Brad Smith for the all time franchise lead in points making Gernander the all time leading scorer for the franchise.  He received an ovation from the Hartford crowd when it was announced.  Gernander's milestone was and early highlight of an otherwise penalty-marred game.  Ryan Kraft was cross-checked in the face by Jamie Lundmark in the third period for which Lundmark received a give minute major and a game misconduct.  Kraft suffered a cut but remained in the game.  The game ended in a 2-2- tie after overtime sending it to a shootout.  Matt Koalska scored in his first-ever shootout attempt but the Wolf Pack ended up on top 3-2 in the shootout and the game.  Jake Taylor, playing for the Pack, got into a scuffle with the Tigers' Eric Godard during the game but received only a roughing minor. 
 
Taylor is only required to wear a half sheild now, down from the full shield he required after suffering severe facial injuries after being hit in the face by a puck shot by his coach during practice.  "It's nice to get the full cage off," said Taylor.  Taylor is also happy with the team's recent success and his increased responsibilities and playing time.

Jeff Panzer scored the only goal of the game for the Syracuse Crunch in front of parent Columbus Blue Jackets fans and execs at Nationwide Arena in Columbus Wednesday night.  The Ferraro twins, Chris & Peter, got the assists in the 1-0 Crunch shutout of the Cleveland Barons.  Karl Goehring earned the shutout stopping all 24 shots he faced.
 
BJ Abel had a goal as the Philadelphia Phantoms topped the hot Binghamton Senators 4-2 Wednesday.  Brandon Bochenski had a goal and assist in the loss for the Sens.  Senators forward Grant Potulny missed his third game with an abdominal injury.  See below feature for a Quick Facts exclusive interview with Potulny.

Thomas Vanek's recent scoring woes continued Wednesday but his Rochester Americans still came out on top of the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 1-0.

The U.S. University Select Team fell, 8-1, in its first preliminary game of the 2005 Winter World University Games in front of a standing-room-only crowd of over 8,200 at the Olympic Ice Rink in Innsbruck.   


Quick Quotes:

"He's looked different in practice. He's confident. He's a more visible player.  It's a team game, 10 skaters and two goalies, and somebody's got to stand out. ... Somebody's got to step up and be visible."

- Bridgeport Head Coach Greg Cronin on Matt Koalska following the former Gopher's return from injury (Connecticut Post).


"I feel confident.  The whole game, the mentality out there, is getting better every day. I'm practicing for a purpose. I'm visualizing what I can do in the future."

- Matt Koalska on his improved play since returning from a broken foot.


 "This is supposed to be a business in crisis, in peril.  They say they lost $237 million, and yet not one person in their management has been fired or replaced for incompetence. What does that say to you?"

- Agent Michael Gillis on the NHL's claims of financial losses. (Calgary Herald)

Quick Facts Exclusive - Hobey Baker winner and Golden Gopher standout Brian Bonin has officially retired from professional hockey.  After playing only four games of a tryout contract with the Worcester IceCats Bonin decided his heart wasn't in the game and chose to hang up the skates and return home to Minnesota.  Watch Quick Facts for a feature story on Bonin's retirement soon.
 
Andy Disch rejoined the pro ranks for three games last weekend, getting an opportunity to play for the Rockford IceHogs of the UHL.  Disch, a former St. Thomas standout and Pittsburgh Penguins draftee scored an assist in his second of three games played.  He drove to Rockford with Mike Reimann who also was signed to play with Steve Martinson's Dogs for just the weekend.  Disch is an assistant coach with the Totino Grace Hockey team and was a Minnesota High School Elite League coach last season.

Disch and partner Alan Nathe, also a former Tommy, have founded a local newspaper called Strictly High School.  It its writen by high school students for high school students, based in the Twin Cities. The paper features sections for athletics, fine arts, academics, news, creative writing and editorial writing.  Disch and Nathe are looking for contributions and advertisers.  Those interested in advertising in the paper can contact Disch at adisch@strictlyhighschool.com for more details.  For submissions or other questions about the paper contact Nathe at anathe@strictlyhighschool.com.  The website for the paper is simplyhighschool.com.

Wild forward Richard Park is on his third European team this season.  He just transferred to the SCL Tigers of in Switzerland from MIF Redhawks in Sweden.

Marc Chouinard has joined Nick Angel with the Fisk Asker Tigers in Norway.

Former St. Cloud State Husky Ryan Malone has transferred from Blues Espoo in Finland to AS Renon in Italy.
 
Blaine's Matt Hendricks was selected to be a first-team starting ECHL All Star for the American Conference.  Selected in the fifth round (131st overall) by Nashville in the 2000
NHL Entry Draft and under contract to Lowell of the American Hockey League and in his first professional season with the Florida Everblades, the former St. Cloud State Husky leads ECHL rookies with 16 goals and is tied for the rookie lead in scoring with 33 points while ranking fourth in assists with 17.

Sheboygan, Wisconsin's Jeff Englehardt was named to the American Conference ECHL All Star Team.  He has been on loan to St. John's of the AHL since December 14, he is tied for second among league rookies with a team-leading 14 goals and tied for 12th among rookies in scoring with 23 points in 21 games.
 
Luke Curtain was named a starter for the National Conference ECHL All Star Team.  This is his second start and his third appearance in an ECHL All-Star Game. Curtin was named as a starter in 2000 and selected to the South Conference roster in 1999 while playing for Baton Rouge. Curtin leads the league in assists with 27 and is tied for the league lead in power-play points with 14 and power-play assists with 12 while ranking second in scoring with 36 points in
31 games. 

Rochester's Andrew Canzanello was named to the ECHL Northern Conference All Star team. Under contract to Cincinnati of the AHL the rookie defenseman has 12 points (2g-10a) and 25 penalty minutes in 25 games with the San Diego Gulls.

Also selected to the Northern Conference All Star Team is Connor James.  Selected in the ninth round (279th overall) by Los Angeles in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and under contract to Los Angeles of the NHL, James is tied for the league lead among rookies with three shorthanded points and is tied for second among league rookies with two shorthand goals. James has 19 points (9g-10a) and 20 penalty minutes in 24 games with Bakersfield and eight penalty minutes in six games with Manchester of the AHL.

Quick Facts sends deepest sympathies to the family of Bud Poile.  Poile died Tuesday, he was 80 years old.  A memorial service will be on held on Friday afternoon in Vancouver. Poile was honored with the Lester Patrick Award, presented for outstanding service to hockey in the United States, in 1989, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2001, the AHL instituted the Bud Poile Trophy, which is today awarded to the regular-season champions in the Western Conference. Anyone wishing to make a contribution on Poile’s behalf can donate to the Canucks for Kids Fund, 1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2T2.  (AHL)

Zach Parise scored a goal and went +2 on Wednesday night but the Hershey Bears beat his Albany River Rats 5-3.  Friday night the Hershey Bears defeated the Rats 2-1, scoring the game-winner with less than a minute remaining.  Zach Parise score the Rats' lone goal. Matt DeMarchi returned to the lineup after missing several games due to injury.  Parise is the scoring leader amongst rookies with 6 goals and 21 assists in 30 games.

Doug Doull of Utah was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Manchester Monarchs for attempt to injure.  Doull was attempting to exact revenge against Joe Ruillier who fractured Jeff Taffe's face during a fight, knocking Taffe out of the lineup for at least six weeks, in the last meeting between the two teams.  Ruillier also received a misconduct penalty.  Manchester won the game against the struggling Grizzlies 5-1.  Taffe underwent surgery Tuesday to stabilize a broken orbital bone and is reportedly doing well.

The Worcester IceCats beat the Wilkes-Barre/Sranton Penguins Wednesday night 2-1.  Troy RIddle was even but scoreless with one shot for the Cats.

Nate DiCasmirro scored only his second goal of the season last week but it seems to have signalled a return to his offensive touch.  The former St. Cloud State Husky scored the second goal of the game for the Edmonton Roadrunners against the Rochester Americans Wednesday night.

Tim Conboy scored his second goal of the season Friday night but it was Cleveland's lone goal against the Rochester Americans who scored 5.  Thomas Vanek earned an assist on the night.

Josh Langfeld scored one of the Binghamton Senators' five goals as they topped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Friday night.  Brandon Bochenski had an assist for the Sens.

Ryan Kraft scored a goal but the Bridgeport Sound Tigers dropped another game losing to the Norfolk Admirals 5-2 Friday night.  Matt Koalska went even on the night with three shots on net.

The punchless Utah Grizzlies lost again Friday night, shut out 0-6 by the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.  The Grizzlies almost didn't arrive in time for the game, being held on a delayed plane Thursday night.  Utah has not been home since just after Christmas.

Mark Hartigan scored the opening goal for the Syracuse Crunch on Friday night against the Philadelphia Phantons.  TIm Jackman and Karl Goehring got the assists as the Crunch earned the victory 2-1.  Goehring stopped 22 of 23 shots for the win.

Adam Hauser's save percentage took a hit Friday night after his Manchester Monarchs lost to the Lowell Lock Monsters 3-1 Friday night.  Hauser stopped only 15 of 17 shots faced with Lowell adding an empty net goal to seal the win.

Troy Riddle opened the scoring for the Worcester Ice Cats Friday night with an unassisted goal.  Less than four minutes later the Cats scored an unassisted shorthanded goal which was all that was needed for the Cats' 4-1 win.  Mike Stuart was +1 on the night.

Wyatt Smith had an assist and the game-winning goal for the Milwaukee Admirals against arch-rival Chicago Wolves Friday night, the Ads edging the Wolves 3-2.

Joe Cullen was loaned from Edmonton Road Runners to the Lowell Lock Monsters.

The contract with Daktronics ratified by the Board of Regents in early December will provide for an upgrade to the existing center-hung scoreboard at Mariucci Arena.  The U of M is only the third university to select the technology.  Daktronics' ProStar® VideoPlus displays (10 mm pixel spacing) will be retrofitted for the installation at Mariucci, which is expected to be completed in February.

The Canadian Press released a story about boyhood friends and fellow redheads Junior Lessard and Stephane Veillieux.  Lessard, the Hobey Baker winner who played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and Veillieux, a Wild prospects, both play for the Houston Aeros of the AHL.  According to the story, twelve of the Aeros live on the same city block. Lessard, having had roommates for four years of university, chose to fly solo this time. Veilleux and Pierre-Marc Bouchard, live next door.

While there has been nothing but rhetoric about the NHL CBA in the media, very little has been mentioned about the fact that the transfer agreement between the NHL and IIHF has expired.  That leaves each European hockey federation to negotiate individually with NHL teams who have drafted players from that federation for financial compensation to allow that player to leave for the NHL.  Under the previous agreement the NHL had with the IIHF all Federations were given $100,000 per player.  No new negotiations for an IIHF agreement are scheduled and it is unlikely that an agreement would be reached in time for this season.  That means teams that drafed last year's top European players, like Eyvgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin will be extorted for millions in order for those players to be allowed to join the NHL.  IIHF meetings are scheduled for this week in Saint Petersburg, Russia but it isn't likely that a new NHL agreement will be dis cussed until a new CBA is in place.

Canadians seem to be missing hockey now.  They tuned in in droves to watch the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships.  The Sports Network's (TSN) coverage of Sunday afternoon's Canada vs. Czech Republic semifinal game from the 2005 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship attracted a national average minute audience of 1.9 million viewers*, making it the third most-watched program in TSN history. Audience levels peaked at 2.4 million viewers from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET during the final 30 minutes of Canada's 3-1 victory.  TSN's top four most-watched programs of all time are World Junior broadcasts.  TSN's coverage of the Gold Medal Game from the 2003 World Juniors in Halifax attracted the largest audience in network history with 3.5 million viewers, followed by the semifinal from Halifax, which was televised in prime time and attracted 2 million viewers.  TSN and RDS are the official broadcasters of Hockey Canada at both international and domestic hockey events, such as the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Royal Bank Cup, World Hockey Championships, TELUS Cup, ESSO Women's National Hockey Championship and IIHF Women's World Hockey Championships. (TSN)

There is much speculation about Shattuck's Kyle Okposo and the fact that the University of Minnesota is heavily recruiting the talented hockey player.  Should Okposo accept a tender from the Gophers he would be the first-ever African American player to wear the 'M' crest.


Quick Take:

The biggest issue in the labor dispute between the NHL and its players is the fact that the NHL has not presented a clear financial picture of their true revenue and losses.  Until a complete and independent audit is completed then there can be no salary cap or luxury tax numbers set. 
 
The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune, a Massachusetts newspaper recently ran a truck through the holes in the Levitt report, calling it a poor financial review and not something that could be relied on to negotiate a salary cap.  And they proved it with the help of actual CPAs and auditors who reviewed the document.
 
Quick Facts suggests that the NHL owners let the Canadian Government tax auditors have access to all NHL books and come up with an independent analysis of the true financial state of the NHL.  PM Paul Martin has offered to help broker a deal so take him up on it and have a government entity, who knows how to find loopholes and hiding places for money, get a true picture of the NHL financial status. 
 
Everyone keeps claiming that the players are the greedy ones but the recent review of the Levitt report only serves to prove that the owners are just as greedy if not more so, but they're making it worse by lying about it.  Only with an independent number to base an agreement on can a compromise be reached.
 
The players are willing to make concessions, until the owners take responsibiliy for doing so as well there will never be a new NHL CBA.

Former Breck star goalie John Curry could have been a Gopher.  After graduating from Breck Curry played a year at Taft prep school looking for a Division I shool for which to play hockey.  The son of former Notre Dame defenseman and Edina native Steve Curry, now the CEO of Knutson Construction, wanted to be a walk-on for the Gophers, but Coach Lucia didn't have a place for Curry. Happy to accept a third-goaltender position and the opportunity to play, Curry accepted the role with Boston University.  This year the Shorewood native became the starting goalie for the Terriers as a sophomore and has helped the team to a national ranking and helped them knock off the number one ranked Golden Gophers Monday night. 
 
Former Gopher defenseman Travis Richards and his wife Angie welcomed their third child, Katie, on October 18, joining Riley 6 and Ellie 2 1/2.  Richards has played with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins for nine seasons.  Richards and his family hosted Griffins teammates for Thanksgiving this year. 

Josh Langfeld helped the Binghamton Senators ring in the new year with two strong games over the weekend.  Friday Langfeld scored two goals and an assist as the Sens beat the Springfield Indians 7-1.  Brandon Bochenski had a three assist night in the big win.  Saturday Langfeld scored a goal for the Sens against the Worcester IceCats but the Cats got a rare 3-2 win after a shot trickled into the Senators net after .  Brian Bonin was -2 and Troy Riddle had three shots and went even for the Cats.  Grant Potulny had one shot on net and was even on the night for the Sens.

Worcester dropped Sunday's game to the Hershey Bears 5-1.  Brian Bonin was scratched from the lineup.  Troy Riddle was scoreless but even on the night for the Cats with three shots.

Matt Koalska returned to the ice New Year's Eve for the first time since suffering a fractured foot during a game on Thanksgiving.  He had five shots on net including at least two quality scoring opportunities, including a shorthanded breakaway thwarted by goalie Marc Andre Fleury, but the Tigers, playing with only 16 skaters due to injury and illness were outmatched by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins dropping the game 1-5.

Thomas Vanek was shut out again but the Rochester Americans beat the Albany River Rats 3-1 in front of more than 15,000 in Buffalo Friday night.  Vanek has been slowed by a strained groin but has not been a liability defensively. Vanek blocked two shots in the final minute of a short-handed situation in Albany on Wednesday and hustled to get back to catch a guy in the defensive zone on Friday, according to local sources. 
 
Vanek opened the scoring for the Amerks on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phantoms. ROchester staked themselves to a three goal lead until the second period when Patrick Sharp got Philly on the board.  BJ Abel, on recall from the Trenton Titans, pulled the Phantoms within one with an unassisted goal just over a minute into the third period, it was his first AHL goal of the season. Vanek earned an assist on an empty net goal at the end of the game to seal the 4-2 win for the Amerks.

Rick Mrozik and Nate DiCasmirro got the assists on Tony Samelainen's game winner for the Edmonton Roadrunners Friday night as they beat the Cleveland Barons 5-4.  DiCasmirro scored shorthanded and unassisted on Saturday night to give the Runners the 4-3 win in the rematch against Cleveland. Goalie Nolan Schaefer misplayed a clearing attempt and put the puck on DiCasmirro's stick, who scored the easy tally for his second goal of the season.
 
Ben Stafford scored two assists and scored the winner in the shootout to help the Philadelphia Phantoms top the Albany River Rats 5-4 New Year's Day, breaking a five-game losing streak for the Phantoms.  Zach Parise had two assists and also scored in the shootout for Albany.  It was Albany's 8th consecutive loss.  Matt DeMarchi has missed six straight games for the Rats.

The Hartford Wolf Pack edged the Utah Grizzlies 3-2 Friday night.   Hartford again topped the hapless Grizzlies Saturday by a score of 5-2.  Jake Taylor got the helper, his first official AHL point, on Hartford's opening goal.  Jeff Hamilton scored on Taylor's rebound.  Taylor also earned a minor penalty per period, one roughing call and two unsportsmanlike calls.  Keith Ballard squared off against the Pack's Lucas Lawson in the second period, both earning five minute visits to the box.  Ken Gernander earned an assist on the insurance fifth goal in the third period for the Pack. 

Jeff Taffe is out of the Grizzlies lineup for at least six weeks after and will undergo surgery for a fractured orbital bones suffered after being hit in the eye by Joe Ruiller, who leads the AHL in +/- with a +24, during a fight against the Manchester Monarchs December 28th.  Taffe is experiencing blurred vison and swelling from the injury.  Surgery will be performed by Phoenix Coyotes doctor Jeffrey Edelstein. Taffe was the leading goal scorer for the Grizzlies before the injury.  No word on whether a plate will be necessary to set the broken facial bones.

Adam Hauser was called for tripping in early in the second period of his Monarchs' game against the Providence Bruins Saturday night.  It cost Hauser as the Bruins capitalized on the ensuing powerplay.  Hauser was pulled for an extra attacker midway through the third and the Monarchs closed the scoring within a goal. In a game that had a bit of everything the Monarchs were awarded a rare penalty shot, and a shorthanded one with Manchester's Dan Welch already in the box for tripping.  Jason Holland converted and tied the score 3-3. Four minutes later the Monarchs scored again, this time on the powerplay, giving Manchester the 4-3 edge.  Hauser was called for high-sticking with only three minutes left in the game but his club fought off the man advantage and added the insurance goal giving Hauser his 12th win of the season, Manchester topping Providence 5-3.

Casey Hankinson scored early in the second period for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks as they faced the San Antonio Rampage Saturday night.  Josh Olson had an assist for the Rampage but the Ducks won the game 4-3.

Tim Jackman scored a goal but his Syracuse Crunch fell to the St. John's Maple Leafs 3-5 on Saturday despite peppering Jean Sebastian Aubin with 66 shots.  Joe Motzko extended his point streak to five games with an assist.  He has a goal and four assists during the streak. Aubin has more than 100 saves in his last two games for the Leafs.

Sunday night Motzko lead the Crunch to victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs.  Motzko scored the equalizer for Syracuse at 7:13 of the third period to tie the score 3-3.  Motzko also got the game-winner in the shootout after 7 rounds.  Mark Hartigan scored on his first shot, Hamilton evened the score when Tomas Plekanec found he back of the net but Motzko put it away scoring on his second shootout shot in the seventh round.  Motzko continued his point streak to six games.

Travis Richards' Grand Rapids Griffins have dropped seven consecutive games.

Luke Curtain played in his 400th game Saturday night as his ECHL Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies felled the Trenton Titans 2-1.  BJ Abel got the Titans' only score. Abel has been the Titans' most consistent center this season, with four goals and 16 assists in 23 games and was recalled to the Philadelphia Phantoms Sunday for his work. The Titans and Bullies are vying for first in the division.

Reggie Berg is still targeting late January for a return to the lineup after a major knee injury.  Berg was the leading scorer in the ECHL when he was hurt.  He began skating again regularly last week.

Rockford IceHogs head coach Steve Martinson wore a tuxedo behind the bench on New Year's Eve but his team fell to the Muskegon Fury 3-7. Mike Riemann, just brought to the Hogs from the Fort Worth Brahmas was ejected in the game.

Goldy Gopher lost the CapitalOne Mascot Bowl to Monte the Grizzly, the mascot for the University of Montana.

Adam Hauser will be holding a goalie clinic at the Ice Den in Hooksett, New Hampshire on February 21, 2005. The one day clinic is to be run by Hauser Goaltending Camps Director, and current member of the Manchester Monarchs, Adam Hauser. The hour and a half event costs $75 and is set to begin at 1:20 pm local time.  The clinic is open to goalies of all ages and levels. Content will include basic and advanced skills needed for the goaltender position. Registration for Hauser's summer hockey camps is currently available on Hauser's website. Camps are scheduled for June 20-24 in Somerset, Wisconsin, July 11-15 in Elk River and August 1-5 in Minnetonka.  Go here for more information:  adamhauser.com

Members of the 2004 Gopher Hockey Senior Class, Jon Waibel, Matt Koalska, Troy Riddle, Joey Martin, Grant Potulny and Paul Martin, plan on conducting the second year of their their Back-2-Back Players Hockey Camps again this summer.  Camps will be held the second and third weeks in Blaine and fourth and fifth weeks at Breck Ice Arena.  Dates, times and other session locations will be confirmed soon.  If you are interested in the camps you can send an email to Quick Facts at quick13@yahoo.com and your information will be passed along.  Further details will be updated in Quick Facts when they become available.

Thomas Vanek was ranked the fifth best NHL prospect in the AHL by The Hockey News.  Goaltender Kari Lehtonen repeated as number one.  Ryan Suter was number two, Ryan Miller number three and Zach Parise number four.  Lehtonen and Suter are ranked as "future franchise players" while Miller, Vanek and Parise are considered "future NHL stars."  Drew Stafford was ranked the third-best collegian behind Al Montoya and Patrick Eaves.

The US Women's 'Minnesota Line' has been broken up this week in intense practices in Boston this week.  Head Coach Ben Smith is going to mix up line combinations including separating Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, and Kelly Stephens.


Quick Quotes:

"I think he was trying to do a saucer over my stick or something and I was right there to pick it up. I skated all the way into the top of the crease - I wasn't missing that one, I'll tell you that right now.  I got it and I was like 'Oh, nice!  I didn't want to stickhandle, I didn't want to take a chance of him hitting me and losing it. I just slid it in along the ice, no top shelf or nothing. If I get 15 or 20 then I'll start going top shelf.  Hopefully my luck will start changing."

- Nate DiCasmirro on scoring his second goal of the season, shorthanded, unassisted, to give the Edmonton Roadrunners a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Barons Saturday night. (Edmonton Sun)

"He's always been a solid defensive player for us and it looks like he's starting to put the other part of his game back together, hopefully we'll see that continue to fall his way.''

- Edmonton head coach Geoff Ward on Nate DiCasmirro's winning goal Saturday night. (Edmonton Sun)

"You miss a month, it's tough to come back 100 percent.  'm optimistic, but at the same point disappointed. I have a lot more to show. On the ice, I feel stable. Getting the consistency back, that takes time."

- Jeff Panzer on trying to get back into playing at the crowded center position for the Syracuse Crunch. (Syracuse Post Standard)

"I think the turnaround came when they put Curry in net, and that kind of solidified things. Since they put him in, they've played very well."

- Don Lucia on BU goalie John Curry (St. Paul Pioneer Press).

"We wait all summer for the schedule to come out so we can see where the team is playing on Halloween, Thanksgiving and the birthdaysChristmas is about the only day we can really plan for because they never play. We just do the best we can with the other holidays."

- Angie Richards, wife of former Gopher and current Grand Rapids Griffin Travis Richards (Grand Rapids Press)