Kristo frostbite story emerges

How North Dakota forward Danny Kristo suffered frostbite on Jan. 30 to the toes on one foot and on one hand -- a mystery since it happened -- is finally coming out. According to a Friday story in the Grand Forks Herald, the sophomore forward from Eden Prairie made the mistake of trying to walk to his girlfriend's apartment without the proper attire on a night when the wind chill was 33 below zero.Kristo was wearing tennis shoes, but lost one when he unexpectedly sank into some snow. He had no socks or gloves. He tried to use one bare hand to dig out the shoe without success.

Eventually, he wound up at Regions Hospital in St. Paul where doctors at first feared his toes might have to be amputated. But all were saved.

Blais to lead U.S. juniors Nebraska Omaha coach Dean Blais will get the chance to lead another U.S. team next season.

On Friday, Blais was named the coach of the U.S. team for the 2012 World Junior Championships in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. The U.S. team, with Blais as coach, won the gold medal in 2010 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He also coached the team in 1994.

"It's really exciting to see how far hockey has come in our country," Blais said. "We now go into the world juniors expecting to win, and that will be our mindset."

This year the U.S. team took the bronze medal in the world juniors, which features the world's best 20-and-younger players. The Gophers' Nick Bjugstad is one of nine players on the 2011 team who will be eligible again.

Etc.• There will not be a third-place game in the Final Five this year. It was dropped. That's one reason WCHA officials kept the Final Five name -- there are five games now -- rather than calling it the Final Six. Six teams advanced to the tournament this year.