The Sicatoka

Predicting that is like predicting the rapture.

Dan, and only Dan, knows who the good teams are at any given time. No other measure (SOS, Sagarin, Massey) matters. When will you learn.

They'll will whip out the "we control our schedule, we don't control who the NCAA says we must face in the post-season" rationalization.

http://host.madison.com/sports/college/hockey/article_3b452884-852a-11e0-b169-001cc4c002e0.html

Imaging Weber State getting the purple turf they've talked about and hitting that trifecta.

Since wild guessing is in vogue ... Knight with MacMillan and O'Donnell (the two Penticton freshmen): Knight and two guys out of the BCHL will blend. It's a Canadian-style thing. Knight will cover up the defensive mistakes the freshmen will make. Nelson with Kristo and Rodwell: Rodwell for the toughness (looking out for Nelson) and to have someone keep up with Kristo's speed. Nelson sets it all up. Rowney with Miller and Grimaldi (the two US NTDP guys): Rowney is the "getter" in this classic "Getter, Setter (Grimaldi), Shooter (Miller)" line; plus, Rowney has the edge to make sure no one takes liberties with smallish Grimalid. Lammy with Dickin and (someone's going to have to earn it): We'll see Lamoureux at center until the coaches are sure Grimaldi understands his responsibilities on both ends of the rink. Initially it may be (21 year old) Di Puma until St. Clair and Parks show they can play a total game in the WCHA.

You've touched on the real issue. You don't compare Rowney/Rodwell just like you wouldn't compare Malone/Frattin. Different styles. The fairer comparisons would be Rowney to Malone (big centers) and Rodwell to Frattin (big framed wingers with speed and good shots).

In an effort to be "earth-friendly" I'm choosing to recycle portions of this 2005 post.

There are 14 forwards and 9 defensemen on the roster now, with one of the defensemen named "Joe Gleason", and he had some nice games at forward last year. And wasn't the word last off season that Ryan Hill would have been more likely to see the ice at forward than defense as well? I'd pondered before if they'd bring in a 2012 recruit early (Matteau, Koules). I really don't expect that. And bringing in a project now only tightens up a roster that has a chance to have very little turnover a year from now as only Eidsness, Blood, and Lamoureux are seniors. Hak ran (what felt like) a short roster a couple years back to leave himself manuvering room for the following season. I'm wondering if that won't be the approach he takes again.

Best line I've ever heard about marathons ... "Run 26 miles? I'd stop and fight whatever was chasing me long before then."

Atlanta acquiring Dustin Byfuglien (hometown: Roseau, MN) has turned into a brilliant strategic move ... for Winnipeg.

You don't think I've presented this notion to Faison, and Kelley, already?

Y'all know my opinion: Either we need a roof for our "diamond" sports (softball, baseball) or we need to drop them and start playing sports where we can use the roof we have (Alerus Center). Add M/W lacrosse and instantly be competitive in the NCAA by recruiting M/W athletes from western Canada.

Folks, no need to opine on the "whys" of this. Take the AG at his word. ND AG Wayne Stenehjem wrote this in a letter dated Thursday: Litigation is likely. He's not going to provide an opinion because of that. It's that simple. And remember one other thing: - There's the official opinion presented by the ND Attorney General's office - There's Wayne Stenehjem's personal opinion They may not always directly align as he may not agree with the law but still has to enforce and opine about it.

Ding! "Tell 'im what he's won, Johnny!" </game show host voice> Returning ... - an All-America goalie - a two-time all-conference goalie - Blood, MacWilliam, Gleason, Forbort, Simpson, and the USHL defenseman of the year as the probable top six defensemen If that doesn't say "Defense First", nothing does. Keep the puck in front of Dell and Eidsness and scratch out what you can for offense until it matures*. *And now, as soon as I've said that, "R Gang" (Rowney and Rodwell) will have years that make us forget Frattin and Gregoire.

I'm going to have a lot of cool, new, free stuff on the 22nd when the rest of you are gone.

UND Athletes are on tour around the state. Yesterday was Bismarck. Today (Wed, May 18) is Fargo/Moorhead (6:30 pm, Hjemkomst Center) An article on FB's Jake Miller is already in a FB thread. Here's an article on Dan Kristo: http://www.bismarcktribune.com/sports/college/article_fc9e3c64-80fc-11e0-9e85-001cc4c002e0.html

We just needed another "D" project at forward: Davidson Dickin Di Puma

No, that is the label. And it's a label that has been proven more than once to mean not that much. Heck, labels at all levels of football don't mean much. It's what you do, not what you call it. BCS Oklahoma lost to non-BCS Boise State. BCS Michigan lost to FCS Appalachian State.

My thoughts: http://boardsroom.blogspot.com/2011/05/shaping-up-2011-12-sioux-hockey-roster.html

I keep asking: Is the NCAA a state actor? I know past rulings have said "no" (in favor of the NCAA); however, those were before

Yes, it's Jimmy Rodgers. See the uncropped version here.

Layne Sedevie played in the AWHL which merged into the NAHL. He had a nice run in college hockey at Bemidji State. http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=67724

The other question that should maybe be asked: Is Ryan Hill returning?

I've long wished for a "half diamond" underpass interchange at 17th Ave S: - access onto southbound I-29 - access from northbound I-29 to 17th Ave (Alerus) With that, folks coming/going to Alerus from the north would use Demers and 42nd and folks coming from the south would use the new interchange. But that won't be it.