I think by now everyone knows what happened after this weekend's games but I think it deserves a blog entry regardless. The Force lost game one after some strong goaltending by both Jeff Teglia and Ryan Massa. Massa finished with 29 saves on 31 shots, Teglia stopped all 24 Force shots for the shutout and the 1-0 series lead for Omaha.
In game two, the Force were able to overcome a 1-0 deficit going into the 3rd period with three straight goals to start the third and an empty netter to finish it off to give the Force a 4-2 victory and the series tied at one heading to Fargo on Wednesday.
I think everyone has heard about the vicious hit by CJ Ludwig on Corey Leivermann. From what I've heard things were really getting ugly in the third and the refs lost control of the game, things escalated, and bad things happened. I hope Corey Leivermann is alright. I don't think anyone ever wants to see anyone get hurt in a hockey game regardless of which team you may be for. Leivermann is doubtful for the rest of the series and Ludwig has a 5-game suspension which the Lancers are appealing because they believe it was a "clean hit". I didn't get to see the hit, but it sounded like an intent to injure to me. I think anytime you are down by two with under a minute remaining and head hunting, it's a dirty play (just my opinion).
From what I've seen of Ludwig's hits, he appears to head hunt a lot of players. I think this is what the NHL is trying to take out of the game now. I am sure the USHL will be looking to address it as well. Ludwig hit on Leivermann below.
Back to the hockey - the Force are now in control of the series after tying it up 1-1. I say they are in control despite the series being tied because the Force now have home-ice advantage for the rest of the series with two games at home that they could use to close it out. Ryan Massa had another strong game for the Force stopping 31/33. Matt Leitner (2 goals) and Nate Condon (1 goal, 1 assist) led the team with two points each. Highlights of the game (excluding extra-curriculars shown below).
EDIT: Suspensions - CJ Ludwig is suspended for 5 games. Ryan Daugherty is suspended for one and Matt Leitner is suspended for one game.
Links from the series:
68 comments:
As a person that was at the game, saw the hit, it was a clean hit. The ref's never had control of the game. It was obvious that they had no intention of calling anything. Players were down on the ice being punched in the back of the head, the entire while being watched by Sheva and he didn't call anything. A lancer had a force player kicking him with his blades while on his belly and that wasn't called. These games would not escalate and get out of control IF the ref's did their job.
The hit may have been clean, but it wasn't a clean play. There were 30 some seconds left in the game and the force were up 4-2. There is no reason to lay a hit like that when the game was already over and the only reason he did it was to injure him and it worked. I think he should get more than 3 games and I'm surprised Omaha has the balls to appeal it. Hopefully when they look at it again they will realize he should probably get more. As for the refs, you are totally right. They didn't have any control over the game and that's why it go so out of hand. Sheva is the worst ref I've seen in my life and he needs a tune up. Hopefully Corey can make it back for a few games and bring the Clark Cup to Fargo.
There is no doubt in my mind that Ludwig knew what he was going to do with the chance of making that kind of hit. It shows on the video above that he knew the situation and took that chance with a full head of steam. What a spineless punk he deserves to be made an example of and given maximum punishment. And by the way that was not a clean check he did'nt even need to be on that side of the ice. He literally charged from the opposite side of the rink knowing in his head what he was capable of doing. I never liked that little punk.
Yeah, I think that Anonymous at 10:46 is right. Regardless of whether it was a clean or bad hit, it's a dirty play because of where it was in the game. I know hitting is all part of the game and I know there were some things that went down that were stupid (celebrations) but it didn't call for a hit with the intent to injure, which is what it was whether it was clean or not. 3 games will be enough because the Force will have the series won by then!
Cocky in Fargo!! It all begins at the top and the organization is classless!
Here's a link to Saturday nights hit...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVLxZ9ZKA3E
Thanks for the link. I'll add it to the blog entry!
Hey Anonymous 8:38am....it is America and we can all have an opinion...Classless in Omaha beginning at the top with the coach appealing the cheap hit when his player not only committed the penalty, but followed it up with an obscene gesture (yet another 10 minute penalty) and 5 minutes earlier a player on the bench spears one of our players....classy
Classless is your asst. captain Leitner taunting the Omaha bench and fans...led to incident with the hit on your player...emotions run high and he escalated them. Wonder how he feels knowing his actions led to one of his players who was skating with his head down by the way getting injured.
Im a bit confused so we are blaming Leitners actions for the reason that Leivy was injured? WTF? No one wants to take responsiblity for there own actions. Leitner did not make Ludwig skate across the ice and level Leivy. If Ludwig had an issue with Leitner he should have waited til the next game and fought him man to man. If he had an issue with Leivy same thing wait til the next game and go toe to toe.
I agree, all you obvious Omaha fans are making CJ Ludwig not only sound like a pussy but you are making it sound like it's completely OK. Both Leitner and Leiverman would have stood him up and he obviously knew it. Hence, he took a cheap shot to save his own ass. With any luck, he won't be back this season so we don't have to watch another pathetic Omaha player get his ass kicked.
The Fargo players were told by the coaches to get "inside" the heads of the Omaha Lancers. I know this as I am one of the Force parents. The coaches encouraged Leitner and Leiverman to do this. Steve Johnson is a classless coach. Always has been always will be. Fargo fans like it because he is winning right now. Lazy and classless. I am not justifying Ludwig's hit as it was late but what do you expect when you let one of the biggest "punks" in the league like Lietner run his mouth the whole game and display the arrogance after his empty net goal (6th of the year)!!. This could have been controlled by the coaches but instead was elevated by them. 3 weeks left...thank god!
Just so you Force fans don't think all Omaha fans are classless. I am from Omaha and am not necessarily a big Lancers fan (more of a UNO Mavericks fan) I just wanted to see what I thought would be another close hard fought game like Friday's game was. Unfortunately, I saw the whole scenario play out because I just happened to be focused on Leiverman at the time of the hit. It was a definite cheap shot with an obvious intention to injure. I was embarrassed by the entire incident, and the aftermath. I, too, think a three game suspension is way too light a penalty. But most of all, I sincerely hope the injured young man is doing much better and will make a full recovery soon. If I were Ludwig, I think I would be hoping I would be suspended so the same wouldn't happen to me.
The punishment for Leitner's actions was a penalty like it should be in hockey. Leivermann did not deserve that regardless of what anybody did in a celebration. It's terrible that people are trying to justify the hit with Leitner's celebration. If the Lancers want to respond, they should do so on the scoreboard.
I think this hit and series might just end up making this one HUGE rivalry between the two teams. I don't know if it can come close to the teams that are in-state rivals, but at least for this year, I'm sure both teams will be looking to beat each other...more than any other team in the USHL.
You know what is classless? This so called "Force parent" coming on here any posting about Coach Johnson annonymously. If you have something to say about Johnson than have some courage and put your name behind it.
Oh by the way, watch the hit frame by frame. He leaves his feet.
Just so you all know I am also an anonymous Force parent who is to chicken to post my name on here... Seriously... I am not a Force parent, but I can pretend to be anonymously...
Talk about Classless. If you are actually a parent I would hope that you would teach you kids not to hide behind an anonymous blog...
This was a horrible hit and way out of bounds... Even if someone runs their mouth, this was uncalled for... For you to come on here and say that the hit on Lieverman was anywhere near justifiable is ludicris...
Please keep comments reasonable. There is no reason to use profanity. Please play nice with other bloggers.
Anyone know why the video was removed by the user? I wanted to see for myself what happened.
He must have just done it. The user had a name of ksheva, and the game was reffed by a Sheva. Maybe he's trying to save face?
As a Lancer fan, I am still sorry for Lievermann. He took a hard hit but thankfully he is ok. Lancer players and fans are far from classless. Friday night as CJ was next to the Force bench fighting for the puck, one of their players reached over onto the field and held CJ in a headlock. Is that what the Force coach is teaching his players? Their entire team and coaching staff are classless. Thank you Force parent for your say, even if you were anonymous.
Take it from someone who has watched the USHL for awhile now...the Lancers are notorious for gooning it up. Guys like Chris Hepp and Andrew Conboy terrorized the league for years. Lancer fans conveniently forget the havoc those two caused. They like to turn it around and blame the other team, coaches, and refs. They never will admit their group of "angels" would do something like Ludwig did. Ludwig already had the reputation of a dirty player, so I am not surprised at this. 3 game suspension for the team captain...way to represent your team and the USHL.
I have watched the league for years also and agree that there are always guys in the league that make their name from big hit like this. To me it just looked like a hit where one player had his head down and the other player tried and did run him over with and elbow and leaving his feet thus the three game suspension. From all the comments on here it sounds to me more like a situation where both coaches and the refs lost control of the bench with the taunting and then things got out fo control from there. The suspension are going to be served. Lets get back to a great hockey playoff series. BTW it is my experience that whenever someone comes on one of these blogs and claims to be someone (i.e. a parent), 99% of the time they are not. I would not let that reflect poorly on any force parent.
Where did you get the information about the suspensions?
http://www.areavoices.com/force
Since the league has handed down the suspensions, let's really look at the impact that this has. For Fargo the two top scoring threats are off the ice for Wens game. Bigger impact than the losses to Omaha!
Ofcourse opposing fans will have bias attitudes towards what happened at the end of the game Saturday night in Omaha. The hit on Leiverman was a routine Ludwig open ice hit. Anyone who has seen the Lancers play this year, would have to note that Ludwig is the most physical defenseman on the team, and this is type of open ice check is a consistent attribute of Ludwigs physical style of play. Due to the fact Leiverman was injured on the play does not constitute means for a match penalty, nor does it make it anymore malicious then any other bigtime collision. The injury did not occur due to the force of the hit, but rather the loss of the helmet, resulting in Leiverman's head hitting the ice. If Leiverman has his helmet strapped up, he probably gets up with the wind knocked out of him and possible concussion. I am glad that Leiverman is ok, because we as fans never want to see the kids get hurt. I do believe Matt Leitner's classless gestures towards the Lancer bench provoked high levels of emotion in a game that was already filled with them, and was unwarranted. Leitner, recognized as a captain of his team and the skill set he possess, you would hope that he would display more class then he does, considering this was not the first time this season he has taughted Lancer fans, or the Lancer bench. When a player takes it upon himself to conduct himself the way Leitner did with emotions running high, one has to expect some type of response. Hopefully Leiverman will forgive his teammate for fueling fire in a game that was at out of reach for Omaha at the time this inncedent occured. The actions of the Lancer player who speared Leitner from the bench was wrong, and he should be penalized for it. But the hit on Leiverman was clean, he was skating with his head down, and was hit shoulder to shoulder. Ludwig did not leave his feet, nor lead with his stick. If you want to blame someone, blame the Fargo training staff for allowing their players to play with a loose helmet, because that is where the injury occured. This hit reminds me of a hit in the recent olympics where Ovechkin hit Jagr at center ice with his head down. This play did not even warrant a penalty. The game of hockey is played at high speed with little time time to react. Things like this happen in this sport. There needs to be better helmet gear developed for players, and they should be required to have their gear on properly, or things like this happen. I hope that the series can be controlled better by the referees, Thats what they are payed to do, or else it will get more out of hand than it already has. Both teams need to show more class and respect for themselves, their organizations, each other and the league they are privledged to play in.
Since the game Saturday, there have been many blogs, comments, posts ect regarding what happened, and I figured I would share my thoughts. I am very upset by the whole situation, but more upset by the comments coming from everyone. Regardless of what led up to the “hit,” I wish people would be courteous of Corey, his family and friends. I can’t imagine how hurt they are reading some of the comments on the web. The Fargo Force, like any team, have great chemistry and consider each other family. Emotions tend to run high during playoffs, but also when a “family” member is injured. Love or hate Matt Leitner, I do not think it is necessary to point the finger at him. You think he is the ONLY player in the USHL that comes across “cocky?” I think not. What happened was terrible, and do not wish that upon anyone. In my opinion, Corey didn’t deserve what has happened to him. You can all argue whether the hit was “clean” or “dirty,” but what really matters is Corey is not seriously injured (luckily). I am sure the last thing he wants (after having to sit out the rest of the season) is to hear that people are saying it was one of his best friends that put him where he is. Everyone just needs someone to blame (ref’s, coaches, players, Matt, Corey, CJ) I am just as upset as everyone else is about what happened, and think there was poor sportsmanship on both sides, but who are we to dissect what went on? Were we on the ice? No. Were we on the bench? No. Just please keep in mind others when your writing about terrible events like this. I can’t imagine what Leivermann’s parents felt like watching their kid laying on the ice, unconscious and motionless You can argue its all a part of the game, but hits like that are not.
Do you know for a fact his helmet was undone? Or are you speculating? I am just curious. Because, I feel like your post is blaming both Leivermann and Leitner for what happened. I am not trying to start anything, just wondering how Leitner's actions DIRECTLY (Not indirectly) caused Leivermann to get hurt? Please clarify.
I got to see video of the hit multiple times and here is what I saw in the video. It looked like Leivermann lost control of the puck and was reaching for it a little bit, or beginning to reach for it as he was turning and Ludwig appeared to have left his feet and led with his elbow as his elbow pretty much went through Leivermann's head, knocking off his helmet, or loosening it enough to where as soon as his head hit the ice, the helmet was by the Lancer bench. Ludwig then proceeded to stand over Leivermann like some kind of sick possessed psycho and then proceeded to do the same thing that Leitner did. Leitner was doing his hand waving at a GOAL, Ludwig was doing his hand waving for a DIRTY HIT and INJURY. Unacceptable.
I don't think anyone deserved that malicious hit, that's for sure. I don't wish anyone gets injured in a game, whether it's the Lancers or the Force or whoever, it is never good to see an injury. What Ludwig did after the hit and how people are trying to justify it is really the worst part about it all...
Well, looks like it can be put to rest. OFFICIALS who reviewed the video have suspended Ludwig for three games as a result of a check on Fargo's Corey Leivermann that drew an attempt to injure match penalty.
So...there you have it. The "clean" or "dirty" arguments can be put to rest. People who have EXTENSIVE knowledge of hockey saw the hit as "dirty"
Classless is a coach that has a 2 goal lead, 5 on 3, 30 seconds left and has his team attacking the net we the tension at the level it was at. I'm surprised nothing else happened.
http://media.ushl.com/images/20100417_hit/
See for yourself.
Wow. That's really graphic and you can see that Ludwig left his feet and it didn't really look like he had control of the puck in the frames but it's hard to tell in still pictures when the game of hockey is played at a very high speed.
AND, Leivermann's helmet is strapped on tightly!
Glad that Leiverman is all right. It was a malicious hit but does it surprise anyone that it was done? The refs weren't making the calls, the Force was rubbing it in every chance they could, and they were even taunting the crowd. Emotions were running high. There are going to be times when the players will take matters into their own hands if the refs or coaches don't do their jobs.
True...hopefully they bring the best USHL reffing crew they can get for the rest of the series.
Johnson has this team looking like his old Lincoln Stars. At least Blaise had a respectful team. He has turned them into a bunch of show-boating punks.
I hope Leitner can live with the consequences of his actions after his grand-standing. Maybe if he would have fought CJ when he was challenged, instead of acting like a little brat when he was winning, things would have turned out differently. Sadly, I kind of enjoyed watching him earlier in the season but he has since lost my respect after his displays.
Anonymous @ 9:54pm - I think you should read Rachael's posts. It is ridiculous to blame Leitner's celebrations for LUDWIG's hit.
From what I was seeing, Ludwig's gestures were a mockery of what Leiverman and Leitner were doing to the Lancer's bench and crowd. Did I miss something else? Why was that considered obscene and the gestures towards the crowd weren't?
I hope Sheva is taken out of this league. He has got to be one of the worst refs in history of the USHL (or extremely biased). What's even sadder is that there were two refs officiating the games and they missed twice as much.
Those gestures to the crowd happen everywhere in the USHL. But does that ever result in a shady check like Ludwigs? I think not. He was pissed because his team was getting worked over by the Force in that period. If these gestures were getting to him why did'nt he drop the gloves they do allow fighting but they dont allow hits with the intent to injure. I think everyone needs to drop it now. Enough has been said.
I did read her post but I don't agree with it. Leitner escalated an already intense situation and he got a couple thousand people riled up as well with his actions. He tried to get into the player's heads and succeeded. Leiverman did some excessive celebrating himself after his goal (which is probably why he was targeted). They took it too far. I don't mind a team celebrating but that was beyond classless.
blades...I know why the hit was made and not saying it was right. I just want to know why his were considered "obscene" while the other ones weren't.
Also, CJ was challenging Leitner in both games, Leitner didn't take him up on it.
Coach probably did'nt want him to fight in those games. It might have been a different story at home.
Blades those gestures aren't done all around the USHL. You might be use to teams visiting your barn and making gestures but it's probably retaliation for the poor sportsmanship and antagonizing (way beyond gestures) of Leitner at other barns. Even David Reekie (goalie a few years ago) of the crosstown rival Lincoln Stars didn't stoop to Leitners level.
by excessive do you mean, celebrating a GAME WINNING GOAL? I mean really, come on, its the playoffs. What would you do?
Celebrate all you want on the ice and with your teammates but involving the fans is uncalled for. It wasn't just the GW goal but every goal throughout the year. This wasn't an isolated incident. The last Fargo game at the civic Leitner went over to a couple teenage girls and harassed them.
What would I do? I'd probably do a Wolfe type celebration and look at all the sad faces in the stands while I celebrated with my teammates, it's called sportsmanship.
As I said before. Leitner is one of the biggest "punks" in the league. Its too bad because he is a very good hockey player. It was an empty net goal. I personally would never celebrate on an empty netter.
Wow, this is hockey. It's the playoffs. Let the kids celebrate. If you want to see taunting go watch LeBron destroy my Chicago Bulls.
Their is excessive celebrations in every sport, it adds to the game. If it pissed Ludwig off he should of made up for it on the scoreboard or in the next game. He's too big of a baby and takes things to personally if he cant deal with player celebrations he should'nt be in sports. I've heard enough sorry @#$ excuses from Omaha bloggers. They say the same damn thing every time.
leitner did the obsecne jesture thing 1st idiot if you were there you would have seen him giving th crownd the finger
Now he gave the crowd the finger. What next he pissed on the ice. Im sure you were watching him at all times? I guess you like to watch him then.
Hey Anonymous at 3:51 nice grammar. Looks like your getting worked up now. Must be an Omaha thing.
Hey anonymous @ 4:50 - Don't talk about grammar when you can't even use it right...it's "you're" (as in you are) not "your". Must be a Fargo thing to point out bad grammar with bad grammar.
They extended Ludwig's suspension to 5 games and hit is back on YouTube and back in the blog entry to those who didn't see it.
The USHL should just be glad this wasnt an Omaha/Lincoln game or it most likely wouldve been just as messy in the stands.
Props for this blog entry in the first place. Way to stick to the facts as much as possible and give people the clips to see. I appreciate your work!
You should thank Lietner for pissing us off with a victory lap and taunting our fans and bench while doing it. And you say we are the most unclassy of all teams. O and whats with your coach saying that he wishes CJ would be playing on Thursday to let the payback begin. Freaking hypocrites!!!
From the Fargo Forum - http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/275982/
Johnson apologized for comment on Monday.
“I didn’t mean that we were going to come out gunning for a kid, I meant that hockey has a way of policing itself,” Johnson said. “I shouldn’t have said it. I know better than that.”
Doubt Johnson truly is sorry for what he said. It's a Johnson, they are never sorry.
FORCE BLOGGER Johnson apologized because he got caught he is cheap now the FORCE have to play CLEAN HOCKEY Johnson can't coach clean hockey I think we will see you in Omaha for game 5
Pretty clean game. Awesome coaching last night by Steve Johnson!
That was a good, clean hit! thats what happens when you taunt a opposing crowd. You fargo f*cks think your classy? booing your own team off the ice. thats great you classy b**chs. I will be sure to be there on the glass to watch your seaon come crumbling down! Hey Leiverman! YOU GOT KNOCKED THE F*CK OUT! Make sure your team skates with there head up. FARGO SUCKS! GO LANCERS! Your coach is a b*tch, he was the same way when he was with licoln. You call that good coaching. you got your asses handed to ya. best coaching ive seen. Tell yvenko to make sure if he is gonna try to check someone, look up to make sure its not your own teammate haha f*cking dipsh*t! Leitner is gonna get knocked out on saturday you should reserve a room at Creighton.
Typical tool lancer fan
Whoever this little punk is that wrote that post. Im coming from Fargo to Omaha to watch the game. Where is the best place to sit? Better yet where do you sit? You can quit writing this stuff and we can handle this like gentelman.
Yes indeed. There is a group of us heading down there for the game to watch the lancers last game of the year.
Haha @ Anonymous @ 5:09pm!
Hope you're right Anonymous @ 5:12pm!
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