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The Frozen Four returns to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul for the first time since 2011. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines and the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs represent the four remaining teams vying to be a national champion.

Although it deals with scrutiny from fans – especially here in Minnesota – the Big Ten conference, which was formed just five years ago has three recipients in this year’s tournament. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) are looking to return to the national title game for the third time this decade and for the second consecutive season.

The Frozen Four begins Thursday, April 5, with Ohio State taking on Minnesota Duluth at 5:00 P.M., followed by Michigan vs. Notre Dame at 8:30. Here’s the rub on this year’s teams:

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

• National Titles: Zero
• Goals per game: 2.94
• Goals allowed per game: 2.15
• Power play: 22.8%
  

  Jake Evans (Notre Dame Athletics)

• Penalty kill: 89.9%

Synopsis: In its first year in the Big Ten Conference, Notre Dame beat up on everyone. They won their conference regular season and tournament and were the only program of the 16-team tournament to do accomplish said feats. It’s also the second year in a row, that the Irish are in the Frozen Four.

Strengths: Notre Dame plays a defensive-sound game, led by sophomore goaltender Cale Morris who’s .945 save percentage was the best in the nation this season. Boasting a “prevent defense” style of hockey can be troublesome, but if the Irish get up early, good luck making a comeback. Notre Dame is 21-2-2 this season when scoring first this season. It’s penalty kill percentage of 88.9 percent was second only to Ohio State.

Weaknesses: One has to to wonder if Notre Dame has enough offense. Jake Evans, a Hobey Baker Finalist picked up 42 points this year, but just 11 found the back of the net. Junior Andrew Oglevie paces the team with 13 goals and is one of just four players who have double-digit goals while nine different players have at least six goals. There’s no doubt they have some depth throughout their lineup, but who will pick up the big goal when the team needs it the most? That remains to be seen.

Michigan Wolverines

• National titles: 8
• Goals per game: 3.41
  

  Michigan’s Tony Calderone embraces teammate Cooper Marody after a Wolverines goal. (Photo credit: Michigan Photography)

• Goals allowed per game: 3.00
• Power play: 18%
• Penalty kill: 75.3%

Synopsis: What a complete 180 the Michigan Wolverines pulled off this season. In Mel Pearson’s first season taking over for the legendary Red Berenson, the Wolverines posted a 22-14-3 record. For a team that won just six conference games the season before, it’s quite the turnaround.

Strengths: The Wolverines 133 goals were 7th in the nation and second in the Big Ten. Junior Cooper Marody put up 50 points – 16 goals, 34 assists – in 39 games and was an impressive +20 this season. In four meetings this season, Michigan went 2-2 against Notre Dame. However, Michigan swept the Irish when the two teams met in a home-and-home series in February, so they have Notre Dame’s number.

Weaknesses: Junior goaltender Hayden Lavinge has to be on his game when Michigan hits the ice in St. Paul. His 2.77 goals against average and .909 save percentage aren’t spectacular, but he did shutout the Irish in a Feb. 18 1-0 win. Michigan’s special teams aren’t great either, their 75 percent penalty-kill rate was the fourth-worst figure in all of college hockey.

Ohio State Buckeyes

• National titles: Zero
• 

  Ohio State sophomore forward Tanner Laczynski celebrates the game-winning goal in Ohio State’s 3-2 overtime win against Michigan Saturday, March 10. (Photo Credit: Mac Connor | Ohio State Athletics)

  Goals per game: 3.2

• Goals allowed per game: 2.1
• Power play: 24%
• Penalty kill: 89.3%

Synopsis: After another successful season in the Big Ten, Ohio State is back at the Frozen Four for the first time in 20 years. The Buckeyes went 26-9-5 overall and 14-8-2 in conference play. There isn’t a statistic the team doesn’t excel in.

Strengths: Ohio State was one of just two teams to rank top 10 nationally in: offense, defense, power play and penalty kill. Six players are double-digit goal scorers, including sophomore Tanner Laczynski, who secured 46 points – 16 goals, 30 assists – in 40 games. Junior goaltender Sean Romeo is as good as any netminder in the country as the North Carolina native won 22 starts and posted a 2.06 GAA to go along with a .920 save percentage.

Weaknesses: With the so many positives to Ohio State’s game, it’s tough to find a weak link. Yet with the team being at the Frozen Four for the first time since 1998 and still lacking a national title, will the bright lights of college hockey’s biggest stage blind the Buckeyes? Time will tell.

Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

• National titles: 1
• Goals per game: 3.0 
• Goals allowed per game: 2.1
• Power play: 24 %
• Penalty kill: 83 %
  

  UMD senior captain Karson Kuhlman celebrates a goal in the Bulldogs’ West Regional semifinal win over Minnesota State. (MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)

Synopsis: Aftera rollercoaster second-half of the season, the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs are back at the Frozen Four. 

They were national runner-ups last year and lost many talented players. However Scott Sandelin’s young core of Bulldogs are looking to pick up a second national championship in the same building that they captured their first seven years ago.

Strengths: There’s definitely going to be a home-town advantage for the Bulldogs when they take the ice in St. Paul. UMD backs up a deep lineup with a rock between the pipes in Hunter Sheppard. Freshman Scott Perunovich (36) and Riley Tufte (29) rank first and third respectively in points. Perunovich is a Hibbing native while Tufte, the 2016 Minnesota Mr. Hockey winner from Blaine High School, was a first-round pick by the Dallas Stars the same year.

Weaknesses: Again, this is a young group of dogs – or pups if you will – and UMD’s own worst enemy will be themselves. Just a few weeks ago in the exact same arena, UMD struggled mightily at the NCHC Frozen Faceoff tournament. The undisciplined Bulldogs took several penalties and appeared all out of sorts. However, they allowed just three goals in two games in winning the West Regional and a well-earned return to the Frozen Four. The Bulldogs need to continue to play a smart game to capture their second national title.

The post Frozen Four Primer appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

New Wild season brings changes to arena’s off-ice environment

Tonight marks home opener No. 15 for the Minnesota Wild in the Taj Mahockey known as Xcel Energy Center and the dawn of each new season is accompanied by change. The Wild’s roster sees annual tweaks, coaches have come and gone, uniforms get updated and concession offerings will vary.

Recently, dazzling pre-game light and video shows with the ice serving as the canvas have entertained and energized the Minnesota faithful as never before.

While the Wild’s roster is virtually the same as it was in May and coach Mike Yeo returns for his fourth season, it doesn’t mean fans making their first trip to the ‘X’ this season won’t experience a few new things.

In fact, they won’t even get through the gate before it hits them. More on that later, however.

Organ transplant

Palmer Harbison’s familiar former home.

For 14 seasons Wild organist Palmer Harbison has entertained a generation of Minnesota hockey fans seated behind his zamboni-themed organ from his perch high above the arena’s playing surface.

While Harbison’s mission to engage the masses through song remains unchanged, his vantage point and instrument do not.

Gone is the familiar zamboni organ, which is sure to disappoint many fans young and old, but the reality is it was never really an organ at all. The zamboni was merely a decorative shell housing a fairly pedestrian, and musically-limited, synthesizer.

Harbison said he’s been given a hard time over the years, particularly by media members, for his inability to match the sound of a fairly famous organ with the roughly $1500 Korg Extreme (circa 2003).

“I couldn’t make it sound like the Blackhawks’ [organ] because it’s not the same instrument,” Harbison said. “I can no more get the sound of a one-hundred thousand dollar theater organ from that synthesizer than I can pull your boat with a smart car.

“It’s fine, it did the job, but this is what they wanted to ‘make it sound like the Blackhawks’.”

The ‘this’ Harbison referred to is the Lowrey Imperial, a hybrid of classic organ design and modern amenities with its glossy Oak cabinet, 640 x 240 LCD touch-sensitive screen and multi-colored buttons on its cockpit-like control panel.

Acquired by the team via a sponsorship arrangement with Schmitt Music, the Lowrey Imperial is everything its predecessor was not in providing a robust, elegant sound reminiscent of a pipe organ.

“That’s what the Wild has been looking for,” said Harbison who has missed just four home games in franchise history. “The organ is still here, it’s still the same thing, it’s just new and improved.”

Until this season, Harbison, founder and owner of Minnetonka-based Advanced Control Systems Design, Inc. by day, could always be found on the corner platform looking down over the Minnesota bench. Wild mascot Nordy, and his/her/its drum-beating exploits, will now occupy that spot.

Harbison and his new instrument are now situated kitty-corner across the arena on the Fox Sports North platform adjacent to the press box. Presumably, his future interactions with the media will be of a more positive nature.

Touch free entry

This season Xcel Energy Center joins a growing list of major venues employing the use of walk-through metal detectors at all entrances. It’s part of an NHL-wide effort to provide fans with a smoother, faster screening environment.

“Providing a secure environment has always been our top priority and we fully support this new league-wide initiative,” Matt Majka, chief operating officer of the Minnesota Wild said at the time of the announcement. “The introduction of walk-through metal detectors will allow us to provide a more efficient screening process for our fans and contribute to a more consistent entry experience.”

Jackets, shoes, belts, keys, watches or coins will not have to be removed, but cell phones and cameras must be set in designated bins before passing through the metal detectors. Gates will now open 75 minutes prior to game time to to allow fans to adjust to the new process.

Previously, only arena employees and non-profit volunteers were subject to the hands-free search through a single device. Now everyone, even media, must pass through the electronic gateways located throughout the building.

A Wild fan passes through one of the arena’s new walk-through metal detectors prior to the team’s Sept. 27 preseason game against the Winnipeg Jets. (MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)

Xcel Energy Center General Manager Jack Larson said he and his staff put a lot of time and effort into developing a plan they felt worked best to get people in the building with as little inconvenience as possible.

The new procedures were in place throughout the preseason giving security staff and arena executives an opportunity to put the system through test runs with the smaller exhibition game crowds.

“That helped us a little bit getting familiar with the new equipment and procedures for everybody coming in,” Larson said. “It was a very good test run for us.”

Larson said he and his staff observed each gate and listened to those who had suggestions and made tweaks based on that data throughout the preseason. He added the feedback has been mostly positive.

“When we did the open scrimmage (on Sept. 19), we had the walk-throughs in place, but not manned,” Larson said. “People were, on their own, just taking their phones out and putting them on the tables and walking through.

“I think people are sort of getting familiar with them at the sports facilities around the area and I think they feel comfortable with them now.”

First-class seat upgrades

A project to replace all of the arena’s seats is well underway with the lower bowl replacement expected to be completed by tonight’s home opener. Completion of the remainder of the building’s seats is expected to be achieved in early 2016.

Kathy Ross, the Wild’s Senior Director of Strategic Communications said it is a significant upgrade from what fans have experienced to this point.

“The seats visibly don’t look that much different in terms of color or fabric,” Ross said. “But the seat quality itself has been improved to a premium.”

Additional Xcel Energy Center updates include a significant Wi-Fi upgrade along with the installation of a new concourse display system called Stadium Vision. The system is designed to provide fans roaming the concourse with better access to the game while sharing news, stats and scores from around the league.

Some of the technology upgrades were completed in May so some fans may have experienced them already, but they will be new for many fans this season.

The post What else is new? appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Minnesota fans finally given a reason for September scoreboard watching.

SAINT PAUL— The Minnesota Wild’s biggest new addition made a sparkling first impression in the team’s preseason home opener on Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center. The newcomer accounted for every goal of the game, was brilliant from start to finish and led everyone in TOI (time OVER ice) in the Wild’s 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets.

This rookie’s performance may have even taken some of the sting out of the disappointment of seeing Thomas Vanek’s home debut delayed until Monday due to lingering soreness from Thursday’s loss in Pittsburgh. Scoreboard watching in the NHL is typically reserved for late March and early April but there was no shortage of it on a warm late-September Saturday evening in St. Paul.

Fans, media and even Wild coach Mike Yeo came away thoroughly impressed with Xcel Energy Center’s new mammoth high-definition scoreboard stretching from blue line to blue line high above the neutral zone. Its four massive video screens dwarf its predecessor in overall size (2,303 sq. ft to 576 sq. ft) and crushes it in clarity.

For some, it even exceeded expectations.

“I thought the picture was really nice and the shots and the score are easy to read,” said Wild fan Bennett King, 13, of White Bear Lake. “I was expecting it to be a little smaller but I like it big.”

The arena’s new video centerpiece, designed to complement its North Woods theme, is just one of a myriad of technological upgrades inside and out of Xcel Energy Center. The building’s outdoor marquees and ribbon displays that encircle the interior arena fascia are included, as is an enormous new main-concourse display on the wall near Section 104. The 430 ft. HD screen replaces the original projection screen installed in 2000.

Seth Wigley and his wife Leah, first-year season ticket holders from Eagan, confessed to sometimes catching themselves checking out the action on the screen rather than the ice. Seth used adjectives like awesome, huge and perfect to describe it and complimented the team on the upgrades.

“They just keep doing little things to make it better every year,” Wigley said.

In addition, the four elevated platforms in the arena’s upper corners have been fitted with video display capability. Those elements, however, were not in use during Saturday’s game and it’s assumed their use is being reserved for opening night of the regular season home schedule on Oct. 9 when the Wild host the Colorado Avalanche.

Nino Niederreiter and Michael Keranen celebrate el Nino’s second-period goal on the first of two Keranen assists on the night. (Poor quality photo / Brian Halverson)

Second-year season ticket holder Teri Chaffee of Big Lake says she likes the scoreboard’s “easy visibility.”

“Plus, Nino Niederreiter is my favorite so he looks pretty good on the big jumbo screen,” she added.

Daktronics of Brookings, S.D. and Redwood Falls, Minn., the manufacturer of the original scoreboard and the arena’s other LED displays, installed the new elements which were largely manufactured in Minnesota.

Yeo drew laughter from the media when asked during his post-game press conference if he, too, snuck in a few peeks at the new scoreboard.

“I always stare at the scoreboard after the other team scores,” Yeo said. “Bit of a clearer picture on the mistakes that we made.”

The post Rookie Dazzles in Wild Debut appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Amid the myriad of awe-inspiring amenities greeting Wild fans when Xcel Energy Center opened to rave reviews in September of 2000 hung the state-of-the-art scoreboard. It has been suspended from the ceiling above center ice ever since but it was just a matter of time before it became obsolete and that time has come.

The Minnesota Wild announced this morning that a new custom HD LED center-hung video board will be the centerpiece of what is being termed a comprehensive technology upgrade inside and out of Xcel Energy Center. The new board will be nearly six-times larger than its predecessor, spanning the length of the neutral zone from blue line to blue line, and is designed to complement the building’s North Woods theme.

Daktronics of Brookings, S.D. and Redwood Falls, Minn., the manufacturer of the original scoreboard and the arena’s other LED displays, has been charged with setting a new standard for the in-arena experience much like it did nearly 14 years ago.

“Daktronics is a proven leader in this industry and we are confident and really excited about adding these new technologies and what they will mean for in-arena opportunities,” said Matt Majka, Minnesota Wild Chief Operating Officer. “We want to enhance our home ice advantage and give back to the fans what they give us each and every night.”

Xcel Energy Center’s outdoor marquees and ribbon displays that encircle the interior arena fascia are included in the technological upgrades which are just one of a pair of significant projects designed to maintain the arena’s viability in attracting high-profile events. A full seat replacement is scheduled to begin in 2015.

“We want to ensure that Xcel Energy Center continues to be one of the best arenas in the world,” said Jack Larson, Vice President and General Manager of the venue. “It’s vital to attracting the best events and keeping fans coming back to Saint Paul year after year.”

The new elements will be largely manufactured in Minnesota and installed over the summer, with the official unveiling planned for the Wild’s first home preseason game on Sept. 27 against the Winnipeg Jets.

“We’re honored to continue our partnership with the Minnesota Wild and improve the fan experience at Xcel Energy Center,” said Tony Mulder, Daktronics sales. “It’s a testament to our American-manufactured product and continued customer support that the team has selected Daktronics to meet their video display needs more than a decade after our initial partnership began. We’re excited to accept the challenge they have presented us with and we look forward to seeing the successful installation making an impact this fall.”

The post Wild Treats Fans to New Scoreboard and More appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

You are a US born player and spent time with the US National Team Development Program. How important was that to your development as pro?

For me going to Ann Arbor and the program was really important. I was a very raw player and needed a lot of work and I think they saw that as well; to have those kinds of resources as a 16-year old is amazing because you play against older players and it really develops your game. There’s a fine line between developing your game and playing to win and the coaches and the whole staff did a great job of it. I think ultimately my two coaches there and some of the support staff were tremendous in helping me develop and get ready for college and ultimately the next level, here [the NHL].

What is it like for you watching younger players coming through the program now that you are in the NHL?

It’s cool. I think me being a part of it and seeing older guys who went through it and now these young guys…you always remember your experiences there and playing in the World Juniors and the World 18s and it’s just an exciting feeling. You’re always excited to play for your country but as you get up and go through the ranks it’s harder and harder to get that opportunity. I know how special it is for these guys to have this opportunity and they are obviously doing great right now so it’s fun to watch, especially with a couple Canadian guys in the locker room!

Sounds like there’s some friendly competition over the IIHF tournament in the dressing room…

There’s some bets going and we’ll see what happens!

You went from the program to Boston University. How did playing college puck influence your game?

I’m from the Northeast and I grew up watching college hockey so that was my goal. I think for many kids in Canada the goal is often to play in major juniors. Going the college route was very important to me but it’s not an allotted plan for everyone; we all take different routes to get here and for me getting to college was that path. I think BU in particular was important for me because of the coaches and knowing that’s where I would develop best. To be able to have Coach Parker who was very hard on me but in the right ways was really important. Their new Coach David Quinn who was our assistant and defensive coach there took a lot of time to make sure we developed in the right way and I think it was important to do that and I wasn’t rushed out of college either which was also nice.

Do you have any favorite “Winter Classic” style events from your hockey career?

At school we got to play BC at Fenway Park so that’s probably my greatest outdoor game experience. Playing at Fenway in front of 45,000 people was amazing! We got to do that and we won and had a nice little celebration after and it was just a really, really fun night and something that we’ll get to remember for a long time.

Would you like to play in a Winter Classic one day?

I would love to! I think it would be great for us and for the team. It brings a lot of excitement to the game which is important too. Hopefully, we’re crossing our fingers, that St. Louis will get a game sooner or later.

What are your personal feelings on the season so far?

The season so far has been great. It’s nice to start the season on time and go through training camp with all of the guys to get back in the swing of things. I think we have a pretty special team here and we were very excited coming into the season. I think we’ve met our expectations and it’s just been good to not have to go through all of that hoopla and the meetings and such like last year.

You have been stepping up and really contributing to some big wins for your team this season including a game winning shootout goal over the Blackhawks just the other night. How does that make you feel? 

It’s great when you get to fill a big role for your team. I think everyone always hopes to be someone who contributes in a game for their team and when you get the opportunity it’s time to step up and for me it was a great night. It’s always a good feeling to come into the locker room knowing you had a piece of the win and the guys are congratulating you; it’s a very fulfilling type of feeling.

Obviously you guys have already travelled to a lot of cities this winter but what do you think of this Minnesota deep freeze you arrived in yesterday?

Unfortunately I left my coat at home so it wasn’t a great night for me last night! It’s been pretty crazy this season, we’ve been to some cold cities so far but I think Minnesota has taken the cake!

You can follow Kevin Shattenkirk on Twitter @Shattdeuces as well as the author of this article @AmySnow17!

Featured Image:
Kevin Shattenkirk surveys the ice during his two-point night (1-1–2) in the Blues’ 3-2 loss to the Kings on Dec. 2, 2013 in Los Angeles.
(Getty Images/Jeff Gross)

The post Know Your Enemy ~ St. Louis Blues Kevin Shattenkirk appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

If the density of number 22 jersey’s filling seats wasn’t proof that he fell more in the beloved category than the hated, the applause that filled the building during a first period tribute to the returning warrior, surely was.

Tonight, “Know Your Enemy” takes on a friend turned foe who remains a supporter of the boys who now oppose him. With that being said, let’s get reacquainted with a former child of the strong and wild, New York Islanders forward, Cal Clutterbuck.

On a hot July morning this past summer, Cal Clutterbuck stood outside of Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario Canada surrounded by Josh Harding, Kyle Brodziak and Tom Gilbert, men, who until recently had not only been trusted friends, but teammates. The men stood quietly chatting, all wearing orange shirts, preparing to golf in the NHLPA’s 21st annual golf classic in the pursuit of raising money for Harding’s Hope.

“Charity events are definitely important,” said Cal before tee off time, “but this one hits a little closer to home, having spent the last year and a half with Josh, it takes on a whole new meaning and it’s the least we can do to be here to support him.”

Cal would go on to lead his foursome of golfers to victory, banking $40,000 for Harding’s Hope and supporting his friend in the process. He also commented on his fresh trade to the Islanders on that hot July morning and while there was no predicting what would come to pass in coming months, he was ready to take on a new challenge in hockey.

“I think it’s a good opportunity for me and a bit of a different scenario. It’s a younger team and kind of growing into maturity,” said Clutterbuck, “I’m looking forward to getting in there with the team at a good stage and growing with them. I think it’ll be a good place for me and for my family as well.”

Unfortunately for Clutterbuck, he suffered a severe leg laceration from a skate during the first exhibition game of the season and found himself sidelined for an extended period of time.

“My injury at the start of the year was pretty tough and it was hard to come back from that.” He continued, “I missed all of training camp but I think things are starting to pick up for me and I’m starting to find my way.”

(MHM Photo/Jeff Wegge)

Injury aside, adjusting to a new city and team can be a challenging all on it’s own, something that Cal commented on, saying, “It’s a lot different even with just coming to the rink every day, coming to a different building, different people. It’s an adjustment period in itself to just get used to your surroundings and the people that are around you every day. Once you get over that I think it’s pretty easy.”

While the adjustment to his new surroundings may have been relatively smooth, Cal says, “It’s not Edina, Minnesota but it’ll do.”

Clutterbuck also felt the video montage welcoming him “home” was nice but unnecessary and when asked about the night he simply stated, “It was nice coming back tonight. Obviously it’s tough playing against some guys who are friends but it was fun. It was a different experience and obviously my first time doing that so I had a blast.”

Whether or not you consider Cal Clutterbuck to be a friend, foe or stuck in that gray relationship area known as a frenemy, there is no denying that at the end of the day he is a player and a man who stands solidly behind his teammates—both past and present—his family and the communities who cheer for him no matter which team colors or number are on his back.

~Quick facts about the NHLPA Charity Golf Classic mentioned in this article courtesy of the NHLPA:

* The tournament has raised over $3.2 Million for various charities throughout the years.

* This year the players competed for a total charity purse of $100,000, with the winning team receiving $40,000 for their designated charity, followed by $25,000 and so on.

* Team captains were: Josh Harding (Harding’s Hope); David Clarkson (Clarky’s Kids); Cory Conacher (JDRF); Marty Biron (Harding’s Hope); Chris Campoli (Look Good Feel Better).

* The following players were playing for Josh’s charity: Dominic Moore, Kyle Brodziak, Cal Clutterbuck, Tom Gilbert; Dwayne Roloson and Marty Biron.

*Make sure you’re following @MNHockeyMag on Twitter for all of our latest articles, game updates and events! You can also follow the author of this article @AmySnow17!*

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