Oct 24, 2011 06:07:43 - by Brian Bissonette
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Men's Hockey Sweeps Tech, Football Falls to Mary, and sad news out of Huntsville.
It was a very busy weekend for BSU sports, with most of the results very good.


Oct 5, 2011 03:44:47 - by Brian Bissonette
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Homecoming and Hockey Season is Here, Ready or Not
Despite summer like weather the last couple of weeks, the BSU men's hockey season opened up play with an exhibition against Regina on Sunday.  A decent crowd of over 2,000 got their first glimpse of the 2011-12 Beavers in an 7-0 win.  Several new players to the team made their debut and one made his return after a year hiatus.  It was great to see Ben Kinne back on the ice in a game.  He was such an impact player a couple of years ago but understandably hadn't returned to the ice since his stroke.  Several new players looked good too, including UMass transfer David Boehm who I think will make a real impact immediately.  I also like the fact that there is more size added, with 4 new players 6'1" or taller.  The biggest question mark facing the team this season is scoring after the loss of Matt Read and Ian Lowe to graduation.  Jordan George should lead the team in that category but Kinne, McQueen, Illo should also be team leaders.  It wouldn't surprise me to see a couple of the newcomers also be contributing more than what you'd expect.  The good news is the defense and goaltending should be solid.  As usual, the regular season starts with big challenges.  First it's Miami of Ohio this weekend in Oxford, then CC next weekend in Colorado Springs.  Nothing like being thrown into the fire right out of the gate!


Mar 13, 2011 11:28:50 - by Brian Bissonette
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Another Historic Moment for BSU Hockey

What a ride it's been for the on the BSU Men's hockey team the past few years.  CHA titles, 2 national tournament appearances including the Frozen Four in 2009, the last game at the John Glas Fieldhouse, first game at the Sanford Center, first season in the WCHA, and now thanks to an impressive sweep of UNO this weekend....they can add their first trip to the WCHA Final Five to the list!

The past two weeks haven't been the best for me personally, first food poisoning, then throwing out my lower back, and then a bulging disc in my neck causing a pinched nerve.  The latter caused me to miss the series in Omaha, which was extremely disappointing.  It was tough to listen to the games, only because I should have been there.....but the results have lifted my spirits.  There is no way I'm going to miss the first WCHA Final Five in BSU hockey history.

If you are not familiar with a pinched nerve, I hope you never have to experience it.  Not only was it impossible for me to sit in a car to Omaha, but I could barely sit/stand for anymore than a few minutes for nearly a week.  To make matters worse, there is no real quick fix though I was relieved to have the MRI clearly show what the issue was.  After several days of applying ice then heat, ice then heat, along with some anti-inflamatory meds and muscle relaxers...... yesterday was my first "good" day in 2 weeks.  I was able to stand without lower back issues and make it nearly 4 hours sitting with just a few moments of pain.  I plan to return to work tomorrow after missing nearly all of the last week and I hope the worst is over.

It better be, there is a full week ahead for the Beaver Radio Network.  First is Sports in the Round on Wednesday, which I believe will be held down in the cities (stay tuned for details).  Then it's on to Quarterfinal game of the WCHA Final Five Thursday.  From what I've found online this morning, BSU will take on UMD in the afternoon game which is a 3:37 start.  If they BSU will play Denver on Friday afternoon in the semifinals.  I am checking on TV coverage, but I believe all five games will be televised on Fox Sports North.  Needless to say, you'll want to turn down the audio and listen to the Beaver Radio Network for the games!  GO BEAVERS!!

 

Mar 9, 2011 08:39:23 - by Brian Bissonette
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No go to Omaha for me

It is with extreme disappointment that I must miss this weekend's hockey playoff series in Omaha.  My lower back went out on me last Friday and Sunday I started experiencing constant pain in my neck/shoulder whenever I was sitting or standing.  From what I understand it could be a hernaited disc or pinched nerve.  Whatever the case, I can barely sit/stand for 5 minutes without pain so the 9 hour trip to Omaha tomorrow is out of the question.  Officially I can be ruled out with an upper body injury I guess.

The situation leaves me very frustrated, I've been out of work all week.  I hate to leave Brian alone on the broadcast for the series and we will have a large listening audience since the games won't be televised.  Now I will join all of Beaver nation who can't make the trip and have to listen in to the games.  It will be hard for me to do, since I should be there and a part of the broadcast.

I was impressed by the way BSU played in both games last weekend against the Gophers.  They were great in the offensive zone, the defenseman played a big role in that, and I particularily liked the physical play the Beavers showed.  This weekend should be a great series and great hockey.  I think it's only fitting that the two newcomers to the WCHA meet so there will be one of us in the Final Five next week.  I just hope it's the Beavers.  They would keep their season alive and give me a chance to get back in the broadcast booth this season.

GO BEAVERS!!

Mar 2, 2011 03:48:07 - by Brian Bissonette
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Final Home Weekend of the Season

Well it was a rough weekend for the BSU Men's Hockey team in Grand Forks and myself personally.  After doing the game on Saturday I had elected to ride back with some friends after the game because I had a work conference in Mpls to travel to on Sunday.  Well, as it happened, they all had a great time at the game and I turned into the designated driver.  That wasn't a problem, I was more than happy to drive.  What was the problem is the fact they were giving me directions and had the gps.  Little did I know that they never looked at the gps and were just guessing.  Long story short, we ended up in Alvarado and Olso and basically made a 2 hour trip home into a 3 hour ordeal.  Not too funny at the time, but it got more humorous as we got on the right path.  That did serve as a warm up though of what was to come.  I headed out with co-workers to a conference in the cities on Sunday and about an hour into the trip my stomach started rumbling.  I didn't think much of it until it just kept getting worse and worse.  Turns out, 4 friends/family including me had eaten something on Friday that gave us food poisoning.  Needless to say, it was a long 3 days in the cities.  I guess I got the worst of it, most were pretty bad for 24 hours but for me I'm still feeling the effects some 72 hours later.  It was bad enough as is, but we had a fun couple of days planned that turned into more of a chore than they ever should have been.  I went the the Wild game on Monday night and had suite tickets......Ron Coomer and Lou Nanne were in the suite with us but I just wasn't very sociable.  I talked very briefly with both but couldn't muster much energy so I sat idle most of the game....and, of course, the Wild lost.

So, here I am on Wednesday back home and at least able to function.  I figure the worst of it is over and I fully expect to be back to normal by the weekend.  I sure am counting on it.  This should be one of the most exciting hockey weekends of the year with the Gophers coming to town, playoff positioning on the line, and the last home series at the Sanford Center in it's inaugural year. 

As usual, the hockey itself gets no easier.  Clearly UND had BSU's number again this year and it showed this past weekend.  They were the better team for all but maybe the 1st period of Sunday's game.  That's also why they are the #1 team in the polls and winners of the WCHA regular season title.  BSU is not alone in having trouble with the Sioux.  But that was last weekend and should be put in the rear view mirror.  This weekend a very hot U of M team comes to town riding a 5 game unbeaten streak and the chance to secure home ice for the first round of the playoffs.  You can bet they will be motivated.  On the flip side, BSU wants to try to improve their position in the standings and also give a couple of sold out crowds something to cheer about.  I expect a couple of very close games and an electric atmopshere at the Sanford Center!

Jan 27, 2011 05:47:40 - by Brian Bissonette
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Down the Stretch They Come

Well, it was a disappointing weekend for BSU Men's hockey against St Cloud with the last second overtime loss on Friday and thumping on Saturday.  Give the Huskies credit, they played well both nights and are on a roll winning 6 in a row.  That after dismissing 2 players after the Holiday Tournament too.  Saturday night was a let down defensively for BSU from the start and it was bad timing not only because BSU needs points to move up in the WCHA standings but also because it was the single largest crowd to ever witness a BSU home hockey game.  They didn't have much to cheer about, St Cloud took the crowd out of the game right from the start....something every road team hopes to do.  Nonetheless, BSU still sits in a position to move up a couple of places at least in the standings if they can take care of business on the road.  They face Mankato next weekend and the Mavs sit in 11th place and then it's on to Michigan Tech who sits in 12th place.  No road game is easy, even if it is teams with worse records, but it does give the Beavers some chance at retribution after last weekend.  My guess is after the weekend off, they will come out flying in the first period at Mankato next Friday night.

The regular season is quickly progressing and there are only 10 games left, of which I'll be in the broadcast booth for 7.  I won't be traveling to Michigan Tech and have to leave Grand Forks after the Saturday afternoon game due to a work conference in the cities that starts on Monday.  That rare Saturday/Sunday afternoon series, which is due to the North Dakota State High School Hockey tournament being played at the Ralph, didn't work for my schedule this year.  I'm bummed, that's one series I always look forward to.  Oh well, I still get my dinner at the Brass Boot (really the Bronze Boot I think)....but I'll miss watching Sunday's game.

It will be interesting to see where the Beavers end up in the standings.  A good run the next couple of weeks could get them into the 6-8 place race.  They won't finish 12th, but they could fall anywhere from 6-11th.  Ideally they want to avoid playing UND or Denver is the first round of the playoffs....not that UMD, UNO, or Wisconsin would be easy either but UND and Denver have both had BSU's number in the D1 era.  I guess only time will tell.

One final note and this one's for Schultzie.  I will put in writing and you may want to frame this because it is extremely rare, but for the 2nd game in a row I will be cheering for the.....Green Bay Packers.  I couldn't stand to have a Bears team so weak get to the Super Bowl and I'd rather not hear about the Steelers winning their 7th Super Bowl....or however many it is..... that's enough for them already.  The Packers won the first two a long time ago....so really they've only won it once in 40 years.... so, much as it pains to type it, go Pack.  I hope Packer fans will do the same in the future if the Vikings are ever able to get there.

Dec 22, 2010 03:27:54 - by Brian Bissonette
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Halfway Point of the Year

It's hard to believe we're already 1/2 way through the 2010-11 season! 

Brian and I made our way to Madison for the Beavers games a couple of weekends ago and ended up getting stuck an extra night due to the big blizzard that collapsed the Metrodome.  It was a fun trip, other than the game results and the fact that neither of our sisters (plus family) could make it to the Saturday game as planned, and the extra night provided the most entertainment.  We ended up getting a hotel room after the game and then walking through the blizzard to find the nearest watering hole.  I won't go into too much detail since you can listen to the entire story on the archive of the 12/15 broadcast of Sports in the Round, but long story short we had an 8 year old give us directions at 11:30 at night to the closest bar which was ended up to be a biker bar.  The experience was priceless. 

I can't say I'm the best rider in bad conditions like what we had to drive through that Sunday morning, just ask Schultzie or listen to the Sports in the Round archive from 12/15.  He did a great job driving I must admit, the worst of which was the first couple of hours out of Madison that Sunday morning since they got hit Saturday evening starting around 5 and it didn't end until Sunday morning.  Not as much time to plow the Interstate as MN or western WI.  We made it back to Bemidji around 8 after leaving Madison around 10:30.  All in all, didn't take much longer than usual though it sure felt like it.

Now it's on to the Holiday Classic in Minneapolis New Year's weekend.  They are non-conference games but still a good test for BSU as they take on Union and Ferris State.  Two teams not necessarily well known to Beaver fans, but both are having good seasons with Union ranked #12 and Ferris #18.  I hope they can come off their holiday break and get back on a win streak.  It will be tough second half of the WCHA season, with only 3 series left at home they will need to get some wins on the road to have a chance to move up in the standings.

The last episode of Sports in the Round for 2010 is tonight from 6-7 p.m. and per tradition we'll be talking about the Paul Bunyan International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament.  It's a very special tournament for 9-10 year olds, unlike any other I've ever seen, so hats off to all those volunteers who have pulled it off for so many years.  It brings in a lot of people to our region and creates a memorable time for all.  I only wish it was around when I was a Pee-Wee!

Have a great Christmas everyone and I hope you are tuned in next weekend as the BSU Men return to action on the Beaver Radio Network!

Nov 23, 2010 04:53:23 - by Brian Bissonette
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Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend is a time for family to get together and this year it includes Beaver Hockey!  I can't recall the last time the Beavers played at home on Thanksgiving weekend, they are usually on the road or have the weekend off, so it should be a fun weekend for many.  Out of town guests as well as those returning to the area will get the chance to check out the Event Center and hopefully see a couple of BSU wins.  Both nights tickets at the door are $5 off if you bring a canned, non-perishable food item for the local food shelf.  Also both nights all student tickets are only $5 with proof of current student ID, regardless of what school you attend.  Saturday is Bemidji Youth Hockey Night, there will be a skate with the Beavers after the game and BYHL members can check out their website for info on ticket discounts.

From listening to the games in Denver last weekend, BSU is in need of some luck.  They've been in nearly every game they've played but the bounces and calls just haven't gone their way.  It's a non-conference series against Northern Michigan this weekend and I'm excited to have all my kids home and going to the games.  It's really the only bad part of being a part of the BSU hockey broadcasts that I can think of, I don't get to enjoy the game with them. 

Nov 19, 2010 04:17:21 - by Brian Bissonette
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5 Guys and Larry the Cable Guy

I promised Schultzie I'd blog about my first experience with 5 Guys Burgers and Fries and the Larry the Cable Guy show.... so here goes.

5 Guys Burgers and Fries

If you are not aware, when we go on a road trip for BSU Men's Hockey, where you eat is always a fun topic.  We try to get to places with great food and to try new things.  Well, after the Frozen Four in D.C., BSU SID Brad Folkstead clued Schultize in on 5 Guys Burgers and Fries that was just down the street from our hotel.  I was already gone, flying back with the team, but Kelly and Brian had stayed a few days in D.C. for some vacation time.  Needless to say, they loved it.  5 Guys is a franchise but only has a few locations in Minnesota, the closest of which is St. Cloud.  So when the time came to make plans for the St. Cloud trip, it was automatic I was going to experience 5 Guys.  I loved it!  The entire experience was great, from the counter staff being so friendly to the food being awesome.  It's nothing too fancy, but it's also not a typical fast food type place.  The meat they use for the burgers is never frozen and you can tell.  They also list the price and that includes condiments such as jalapenos, bacon, cheese, onions, etc.  I love that approach.  Instead of 75 cents for cheese, another 75 cents for bacon...it's add what you want.  Then comes the fries.  Wow, I'm a huge fan of french fries and I've certainly had my share, they have the best.  Not only do you get a ton of them with your order, but they come fresh from potatoes they keep right in the lobby (in sealed potato sacks, they aren't just lying on the floor:)    Schultzie warned me that it may take longer to get our order than fast food, but it only took a few minutes.  Granted, we were there at 3 p.m., not exactly a rush time for a food place, but my experience working at Arby's for 6 years growing up gave me a much better appreciation for patience when waiting for food.  I could never understand someone complaining about having to wait a couple of minutes for their order.  I'm not talking about 10 minutes, just 1-2 minutes while the fries are actually frying.  It's not magic, they do realize that it has to be cooked/prepared, right?  In the overall scheme of life, if waiting 2 minutes for food is a problem, you need to revise your life.  I'd rather have something fresh, hot, and good than cold, still partly frozen.  I'm looking forward to my next stop at 5 Guys, great food and a fun place to eat.

Larry the Cable Guy

Some of you may find this hard to believe, but other than hearing the phrase he is famous for "Git R Done", I have not seen anything of Larry the Cable Guy.  No comedy bits, no movies.  If you know me, that's probably not too much of a suprise.  I'd be stereotyped more of a "preppy" and certainly not a redneck.  That said, when you get an offer for free tickets and a night out with your wife without the kids, you take it.  So we headed off to the show on Wednesday night and I had no clue what to expect.  My review, it was OK.  It wasn't horrible and I wasn't overwhelmed with laughter all night either.  Some were and I can understand why there is a segement of people who would really love him.  He's more like them than he is like me.  I'm a pretty liberal person, so nothing he said bothered me, I just didn't laugh as much as I have at other comedy shows I've been to.  I was at Second City in Chicago last year and that was hilarious...I couldn't stop laughing.  I'm guessing those who thought Larry the Cable Guy was hilarious probably wouldn't say the same for Second City either.  Different people, different tastes.  It wasn't the best show I've ever seen, but I did laugh at parts and it was fun to go to. I wasn't disappointed I went. 

Since this is a "sports" blog, I feel obligated to at least put something sports related in.  BSU takes on Denver this weekend and I'm excited to see how they do against another top team on the road coming off their first home win of the year.  Dugas is in nets tonight, after posting the first shutout of the seaons last Saturday.  The key for the Beavers will be the turnovers and penalties.  If they can manage those like they did last Saturday agains the SeaWolves they should have a shot at points this weekend.

Till next time!

Biss

Nov 1, 2010 12:17:06 - by Brian Bissonette
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Hitting the Road

If you are a regular listener of BSU Football broadcasts, you may have noticed that I've not traveled to any away games this year.  I normally try to get to all the away games I can, but this year I was awaiting a special arrival that precluded me from heading out on the road with Schulztie.  I'm happy to report that Alexis Blakely Bissonette finally joined us on October 20th.  She was 6 lbs 9 oz, 19 1/4".  Both mom and baby are doing great!  For awhile we thought she may test the BREC first aid staff on opening night, but she timed her arrival just right....on one of the only Wednesday nights we didn't have a Sports in the Round show. 

So, with baby here and the family do well, I'm off to St. Cloud for both men's hockey and football this weekend.  Schultzie raves about the 5 guys burgers place, so I'm looking forward to kicking off our weekend with a great meal there on Friday.  Unlike year's past when BSU hockey took flights to a majority of their games, now that they are in the WCHA I can and will be at most away games too!  The only trips I won't be on for sure will be to Michigan and Colorado, I'm still undecided at this point about Omaha.  All the rest of the away games I plan to be at. 

As far as the teams so far this year, they've been improving every game.  Football was faced with a tough early schedule but they've rebounded well with 3 wins in a row to put themselves back into the fray for postseason play.  It should be a great game Saturday afternoon.  BSU Men's hockey has been in every game they've played against two of the best teams in the country.  They've gotten great goaltending but the bounces just haven't gone their way.   It doesn't get any easier with the Huskies, but I like their chances if the Beavers play like they did this past weekend. 

Tune in this weekend and e-mail the booth if you can.  We love to hear from our listeners during the games!

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All Blog Entries

Men's Hockey Sweeps Tech, Football Falls to Mary, and sad news out of Huntsville.
Homecoming and Hockey Season is Here, Ready or Not
Another Historic Moment for BSU Hockey
No go to Omaha for me
Final Home Weekend of the Season
Down the Stretch They Come
Halfway Point of the Year
Thanksgiving Weekend
5 Guys and Larry the Cable Guy
Hitting the Road
An Introduction