GRAND RAPIDS AT BEMIDJI

[north_bear]

Some of this may be a bit over-the-top and piling-on.

Congratulations to Bemidji for a fine game. They came out skating with intensity and clearly on a mission. Rapids appeared flat and lacked energy.

However, to suggest Rapids players were thugs on the ice is simply not in-line with how the game was played. Bemidji was not a group of choirboys out there. It was a chippy game going both ways. Bemidji drew 10 penalties during the game compared to Rapids 8.

Timing was unfortunate for Rapids. The 1st period 5-on-3 was the result of McLaughlin getting called for a slash after the whistle, apparently because he whacked a Bemidji player in retaliation for a cross-check into the boards. It was a dumb penalty and showed lack of discipline. However, at the end of the play, I think like McLaughlin, I was looking for the ref to raise an arm against the Bemidji player, but no such call.

There is some bad blood between these teams. I recall two years ago was also a chippy match in Bemidji. Two summers ago they played a very chippy match at the IRA in Grand Rapids. Throw-in the intense game at State last year and you have a recipe for emotions getting elevated.

If Bemidji is at the X in March, I will be rooting for them against any of the not northern Minnesota teams. I just would have preferred a cleaner game this past Tuesday, both ways.

Right now, I do not see any problems for Rapids from the Bemidji game, which the coaches can't rein-in. Yes, more self-control is needed. They need a reminder that winning is the best revenge against your rival or someone you consider chippy. But, this game was not a behavior apocalypse providing evidence of a systematic problem throughout the entire Grand Rapids hockey culture.

As for two dads getting in a fight after the game...that is nuts. But, both ways, again.

Finally a voice of reason.