The Sicatoka

I know some don't always agree with Charles E. Kupchella, but we could have done (and could do) much worse.

You realize that you're "dis"-ing you're own guy by attributing NDSU's assumed rise to UND's assumed fall.

It's dangerous to listen to too much of your own spin. It's more dangerous when you start to believe it. You need to look objectively at what UND's accomplished over Kupchella's tenure.

The cloning machine is done, and I just got the DNA from his family: Lombardi.

I'm sure Diggler is dusting off and polishing up the ol' resume.

Let the speculation as to a successor begin ....

http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/i...mp;section=News

Interesting find ... http://www.uslmdia.org/teams.cfm?conferenc...mp;divisionid=2

OK, let's try an updated version: Brock Bellmore DL West Fargo, ND Dan Hendrickson LB Minot, ND Drew Daggett WR Frazee, MN Chris Anderson WR Duluth, MN Josh Murray RB Pepin, WI Brent Goska QB/DB Wisconsin Rapids, WI Code Rose QB Elmwood, WI Kris Ankenbauer DB Plano, TX Tru Nguyen LB Burnsville, MN Catlin Solum RB Fargo, ND John Carruth WR Eden Prairie, MN Brandon Quesenberry OL Billings, MT Mike Ebanks DL Hibbing CommColl

Bemidji State is "almost" to UND's level after 60 years of BSU hockey. Thus, shouldn't NDSU's first goal to be "almost" as good as BSU? The first step there would be a "Joel Otto" and about 500 other guys in the history of the program.

There's mention of a JUCO, but no name. Here are names people have used here so far: Brock Bellmore DL West Fargo, ND Dan Hendrickson LB Minot, ND Drew Daggett WR Frazee, MN Chris Anderson WR Duluth, MN Josh Murray RB Pepin, WI Brent Goska QB/DB Wisconsin Rapids, WI Code Rose QB Elmwood, WI Kris Ankenbauer DB Plano, TX Tru Nguyen LB Burnsville, MN Catlin Solum RB Fargo, ND John Carruth WR Eden Prairie, MN

How quickly they forget. I stumped this board with that question (and it became a thread all by itself) half a decade ago: http://siouxsports.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=204 In some ways this still makes me sad: http://siouxsports.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=314

Tradition. Phillippe Lamoureux was the first and only UND mens hockey player to wear "34". Now that Jordan Parise is gone he's wearing "1".

But they're no Oshie.

Odd. Frustrating. And just plain wrong.

There are two reasons to be in a city: - things to do (shopping, entertainment) - suitable work This is taking care of the first. What's new on the second front?

The east favoring (especially so with ESPN) media slathered all last week over their beloved Patriots and the media darling wunderkind Tom Brady. Plus, they just loved all of the feel-good "back from Katrina" play they could get with the Saints. (Imagine two weeks more of that.) I feel like that's all I heard last week. Given that, I couldn't be happier for a Bears/Colts game. PS - Go ....

Thanks for the heads-up on that. At least, in getting that one single goal on Saturday we'll have done as well, or better, offensively as Minnesota did: - on Jan 7 v. MSU-Mankato (1-0 win) - on Jan 12 v. Wisconsin (2-1 loss) - on Jan 13 v. Wisconsin (1-0 win) - on Jan 19 v. Denver (1-0 loss). We can take solace in that I guess. Closed circuit to Phillippe Lamoureux: It was Elliott, Fischer, and Zacharias who did that. If Zacharias can do it, why not you.

Yeah-yeah-yeah, cue Diggler's theme music ....

It's nice that each Maverick player will have their IQ on the side of their helmet.

Did TJ Oshie really admit to drinking Pedialyte as part of his game preparations on the air post-game? And did he really admit it was (6'7", 252 pound) Joe Finley who recommended it? "Baby" Joe Finley?

For some reason I just feel it'll be "Lil' Shep".

Brian Lee needs to simplify his game a little bit. He seems to be thinking too much at times. He'll make a good first move and get around a problem, but then he won't move the puck quickly and crisply after that and it gets him in trouble. This pattern seems to happen both on the breakout and at the point on the power play. Move, then move it. Additionally, the worst kept secret in the league is that the clockwise powerplay pass from Duncan or Toews to Lee will not be one-timed at the net by Brian Lee. (Pick the spots to take the shots Brian. I'd much rather have you give up a breakaway because a shot hit a leg and went out to center than to see you get pokechecked and passed by because you were indecisive and held it too long.) Brian needs to relax and simplify what he's doing out there.

I saw the final 13 minutes of Stars at Wild after the Sioux game last night. Up and down and wide open. What a blast! (An eight shooter shoot-out wasn't bad either. ) What I also saw was a simple stick across the waist tug, the same tug that I'd seen 100 of in REA earlier in the evening, get called by the NHL refs for what it is: obstruction hooking. It was the only tug of that sort I saw during 13 minutes of regulation and 5 of OT. If you say you're going to call it, and consistently do, the players will adjust. That is precisely why the NHL product is presently better than the WCHA product. PS - Should I be expecting a royalty check from The Virg for giving him the idea for this column?