The Sicatoka

Back to the beginning ... I don't know ... but it seems we're closer to finding out. I should've bought stock in Orville Reddenbacher's company. There's lots more popcorn to be consumed before this one is over.

I like the idea of no post-season tournament only if the regular season is a full round-robin schedule (play everyone both home and road).

I count 17. I still say there won't be 17 when the official roster comes out this fall. And if you don't think Carter Rowney will be a line-up regular you need to rethink who'll be playing center. Actually, I don't think Grimaldi (or any freshman) will play center before January. I expect the centers for the IceBreaker will be Knight, Rowney, Nelson, and Lamoureux. Come January Grimaldi will be at center and Lamoureux will be on a wing (where he had some good late-season success this year).

Deal with it.

Carter Rowney takes over the role that Brad Malone took over from Chris VandeVelde: Big, strong, power centerman. Rocco Grimaldi takes over the role that Evan Trupp took over from Ryan Duncan: Smallish, wiley, winger that opponents have trouble finding a solution for. Joe Gleason takes over the role that Chay Genoway took over from Robbie Bina: Smallish, puck-moving, defenseman. Those most of you can see. Here's one you may not: The Matt Frattin physically devestating, intimidating shot, role will be taken up by ... Derek Rodwell.

http://www.ag.nd.gov/NCAA/ncaa.htm

"Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. 14% of people know that." -- Homer Simpson

I've asked many that very question.

Nope. It should have been brought as a First Amendment case. UND receives Federal funding and as such is subject to the US Constitution. The majority of NCAA members are receiving Federal funding in some sort as well. As such, being made up of members subject to the First Amendment, the NCAA should not be in the business of censorship. The NCAA is a public actor and someone should sue them as such*, especially when they are trying to behave as a fourth branch of government. *Yes, it's been tried before and failed, but since that last challenge the "private" Oklahoma HSAA has been declared a public actor by the Ninth Circuit because the majority of it's executive board were from public schools (subject to the Constitution).

The Kings blow a 4-0 third period lead to lose in OT 6-5 to San Jose. And when you think it can't get whackier, the next night two games go 2OT and in one of them NYR blows a 3-0 lead to lose. I'm thinking the LAK and NYR are probably both done after those collapses.

Didn't NDSU lose on a pink field (after the flurries started) in Cheney. I'd rather be in the pink, than yellow.

Shrink the "North", expand the "Dakota" ... and the NCAA still wouldn't understand what you're saying.

Here's what I don't understand: Why, if the rumors have substance, does PHX want Hextall now? He's never been a top line player in college. He's undersized for the pros (and arguably undersized for college). He has gaps in his game. Is PHX worried about Hextall waiting until August 15, 2012 (when he becomes a free agent if he stays in college)?

There is another player in this upper midwest health care game also. Essentia Health I sure hope the Mayo rumor is true. Being associated with Mayo Clinics gives instant world-wide recognition.

Mayo taking a stake, or complete ownership, of Altru would be good for UND, Grand Forks, and North Dakota. Sanford was setting up a "firewall" of sorts. They are taking control of health care along the I-29 corridor from Sioux Falls to Fargo and about 100 miles (or more) on either side. Clearly Mayo saw this and needed to take action to ensure it has a network of hospitals and clinics as well. Let's hope that UND Med can continue its long-standing relationship with Altru (and assumably now Mayo) as that can only serve to improve the national stature of the program and university. Looking at this from another way: The Big Sky needed a fulcrum in case they ever wanted to move east. Mayo needs a fulcrum if they want to move west. In each case UND, and Grand Forks, is reaping the benefit.

People, it's just a kids book ... http://www.morris.umn.edu/newsevents/view.php?itemID=11551 Now maybe Minnesota - Twin Cities campus will have a sport that maybe they can dominate in. St. Cloud spectating from the start? The season must start with playoffs.

Why would the NCAA want to get into the middle of a mess between the Legislature and the SBoHE?

He should've shaved it off and let it grow back. It would save him the trouble of watching it fall out now that it's been hard bleached and then dyed.

Next thing you know Philly fans will be calling for Dave Hakstol's head. It's what you do when you get shut out by a red-hot goalie in the post season, right?

No, that writer is saying consistent winning performance is what defines a winner and puts a team in position to end their season with two neutral ice weekend sweeps (current format). He would rather see that consistent high-level performance rather than the rollercoaster that he points out that the team he covers has been on. And, you know what, he's right. You have to be a winner to be in position to end with two neutral ice weekend sweeps. There are 7 "ended the season with two neutral ice weekend sweeps" banners in Ralph Engelstad Arena. There will be fifteen, ... 15, banners in Ralph Engelstad Arena saying that North Dakota was the season-long highest performing team in the toughest conference in the NCAA. Fifteen seasons of being, over the course of an entire season, the best of the best. There's no way you can discount the effort it takes to hang those 15. And nobody has more. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to point all that out.

As I sit here having just watched #6 Montreal's Carey Price beat #3 Boston 2-0, and #7 Buffalo's Ryan Miller defeat #2 Phillly 1-0, both on the road, I understand even more how lower seeded Michigan and a performance of a lifetime from Hunwick can happen last Thursday. And this is especially so in a 1-and-done format. More food for thought (thanks PCM): http://boardsroom.blogspot.com/2011/04/und-vs-michigan-statistical-analysis.html

Perspective ... http://host.madison.com/sports/columnists/andy_baggot/article_b3441a6c-13bf-5c91-bc2f-1d14bc187142.html

Mike Chambers just can't seem to let that go. He tried rehashing it before the Final Five. He tried rehashing it before the Regional. Mike Chambers just can't seem to let that go.