Wednesday reading: L. Sweatt, UNO, PSU, Sioux, DU, Niagara

Here is a solid USHL feature on former Tiger Lee Sweatt and his decision to retire from hockey at age 26.

Talk about a new hockey arena for Nebraska-Omaha has quieted down despite reportedly having the funding lined up.

The Penn State fan blog outlines its coverage plans including the Air Force games.

A lawsuit concerning the Sioux nickname is thrown out of court.

A famed DU hangout with a colorful, if not exactly safe, history is up for sale.  The Niagara coach received a contract extension.

Hockey East hired a longtime NHL linesman to be director of officials.  A former BU player pleads guilty.

UPDATED: Dineen records first pro goal (playoff game-winner)

Former Tiger captain Nick Dineen assisted the tying goal and scored the game-winner on a hard-work goal in front later to lift the Elmira Jackals to a 5-2 win over the Reading (Pa.) Royals in the first round of the ECHL playoffs.

Here’s the scoresheet and team write-up. Reading leads the best-of-five series 2-1 and can clinch it starting at 5:05 Mountain tonight in New York.

Elmira Jackals head coach Pat Bingham and forward Dustin Gazley spoke in this video on the team’s overall play, the goal by Dineen and his success in the face-off circle, and what the team needs to do to get a victory in Game 4. Gazley discussed the win and Dineen’s goal.

Here’s some good detail on the game-winner from the Reading Royals’ writeup:

“With time ticking down in the third, the Jackals got a favorable bounce that resulted in the game winner with just 3:43 left in regulation. Mario Larocque took a hard slap shot from the left point that hit Nick Dineen, who was skating through the slot, in the right calf. The puck ricocheted to the right wall and bounced directly back to the stick of Dineen, who quickly turned and wheeled to beat Owuya low blocker for his first of the playoff season.”

Sunday reading: NCAA bracket, J. Schwartz (first NHL goal video), Hall, M. Stuart, Guentzel

Minnesota Wild's Nate Prosser, left, and Carolina Hurricanes' Brandon Sutter exchange punches during a fight in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 17, 2012, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Here’s the NCAA bracket in pdf format so you may print it out.

Former Tiger Jaden Schwartz scored his first NHL goal on his first shot in his NHL (also pro) debut for St. Louis. Here’s video of the eventual game-winning goal. Wow. Congratulations to him. The win clinches a playoff berth for the Blues.

Tim Hall recorded two assists in Alaska’a 3-1 road win over Colorado to clinch the ECHL Mountain Division title.

NEW YORK (AP) – Winnipeg Jets defenseman Mark Stuart was fined $2,500 by the NHL on Saturday for his hit on Washington forward Marcus Johansson on Friday night. No penalty was called on the play in the second period of the Jets’ 3-2 victory over the Capitals.

Gabe Guentzel did not make his pro debut Saturday as hoped. His next chance is Wednesday at home against Rochester, which includies Colin Stuart.