Tag: WCHA

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I sure hope the NCHC gets better officials than the WCHA

I just finished re-watching the first two periods of the DU-UND Hockey game and I have to say the WCHA officials were horrible but that has not been unusual this year. The new National Collegiate Hockey Conference better get better officials because that league will certainly deserve it.
The 5-minute game misconduct penalty on Tabrum for the University of Denver in the first period was a bad call. The North Dakota player turned his back just as he was getting hit. It may have been a 2-minute penalty, but certainly not a 5-minute game misconduct.

The most outrageous call of the night was the 5-min major game misconduct to Joey LaLeggia. After Mayfield scored a beautiful goal to put DU up 4-2, LaLeggia was going to celebrate with Mayfield and Ben Blood hits him across the head. LaLeggia pushes back into his chest and then face washes him. The official ruled that LaLeggia jumped up and head-butted Blood.

First of all, Blood should have been gone for a hit to the head. Second, LaLeggia is about 6 inches shorter than Blood. Third, he never jumped up at all. You can look at the replay.

There were some other missed calls that the Western Conference Hockey Association needs to look at. These officials should be shamed of themselves and have to apologize to the University of Denver and to all fans in attendance. There performance was just unacceptable.

At least Denver beat UND 5-3 to stay in third place of the WCHA.

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Denver needs to support Pioneer hockey

It’s almost as if the Avalanche’s losing record has transferred to the Denver Pioneers. But the thing is that the Denver Pioneers are winning.
The DU hockey team is ranked sixth in the country and puts a really good product on the ice. They gave several players that could be the next superstars in the NHL.

But the crowds didn’t come out this weekend for two pretty exciting games.

For Friday’s game only 3,600 people came out and last night, which ended up being their last home game, only 4,300 showed up.

DU hockey is a good bargain and an entertaining evening. A great time to bring the family out.

Follow DU as they make their way through the WCHA Final Five and hopefully make it to the Frozen Four.

But as next fall rolls around and you don’t have the NFL to watch, consider bringing out your family to watch DU hockey. I think you’ll like it.

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DU senior Jesse Martin suffers career-threatening injury, Malone should be suspended

UPDATE: DU senior Jesse Martin suffers career-threatening injury | The Denver Post — All Things Colorado Sports
For those of you who have don’t know, DU senior and assistant captain for the DU hockey team was hit head on by Brad Malone and left motionless on the ice.

Matin ended up losing consciousness and movement in his arms and legs. He did regain movement on the way to the hospital. But after examination it was determined that he has a broken neck in three places and was transferred to Minneapolis for emergency surgery.

His playing career is probably over.

Malone, a draft pick of the Avalanche, should be suspended for his hit. But knowing the hockey culture he’ll probably get off without any punishment. Right after the hit, the referees didn’t even call a penalty, but with Martin laying motionless I guess they thought they had to do something.

Until hockey players start respecting each other, people will continue to get hurt like this. Hit hard, but hit fair.

It’s time the WCHA that they won’t tolerate these hits anymore.

My thoughts and prayers are with Martin and his family. Hopefully he gets healthy soon!

Update:

Here is a video of the hit.