The Sicatoka

Anyone (besides PCM, who asked the question of me) wondering why there was no prior media attention or notice to a Standing Rock vote on the moniker? Does that seem strange to anyone else? Shouldn't a vote like that be on an open records agenda? Wouldn't you expect that all voting members would have attended such an important meeting? Where's the Fargo Forum or the GF Herald digging into history of key players of this (like they did with a state district judge)?

I'm most interested in the team taking this game seriously. No. Looking. Ahead.

"Dakotah" is from the languages of the Oceti Sakowin (D/L/Nakota peoples); whereas, "Sioux" derives from French. Now you're really confused I bet.

Folks: REALITY CHECK. From Section 2.d (page 5) of the SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT .... There is no "no nickname" or "no logo" option. Give that up.

Folks, there's no "do" or "tit for tat" here. If the name does change, apathy (not action) will follow, real people and programs will be affected, and the blame will all rightly be tied to Ron His Horse is Thunder. Ron's the one that'll have to explain that when he wants to get re-elected. Now do you understand why he complained mightily when this power, that he begged for, came to him? The rest of us? No threats of cut this or that. Just sit back and watch how other things affecting many North Dakotans (like veterans needs) become higher priority. They will. That's not racist; that's realist. So I say let's allow Standing Rock to make their decision and let them live with it.

This is like a big game of "CLUE!" Too bad I had it that the survey did it. http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/i...mp;section=News

I sure hope someone got their 30 pieces of silver.

That's the irony I love in this. No, we don't really. The settlement requires instituting a new moniker. I, personally, will never speak the old moniker again. If they want to be forgotten and left to history's scrap heap so be it.

No, they'll just have to learn to deal with not getting special treatment and support and become more self-sustaining (like every other program on campus has to). The better question is: How long until someone challenges INMED as a race-based quota program in the courts?

Anyone who can.

Nothing like the smell of fresh ink on paper. http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=57126

I hope it's not on television. Get out to the Alerus Center. It may be the last time you'll get to see Weston Dressler play at home.

We know different organizations count in different ways. What are the US DOE standards? Is NDSU allowed to count "tri-college" students? Is UND forced to count part-time UND Distance Education students? Part-time students (<12 credits)? I do see that NDSU has budgeted perfectly again: Expenses = Receipts. That's what, three years in a row? Amazing budgetary skills.

That's a good answer to that. So, given that Hak has been heard to say "by Monday" regarding a third goalie I'd be led to believe it would have to be a student. I guess the "last day to enroll" question might be key (unless there's an option already on campus). EDIT: Last day to add a full-term course was back in early September.

I know there's an NCAA rule that says you have to dress two goalies per game (and having just two leaves no margin for health issues). Given that .... Some simple little questions: Are there NCAA rules about who can be in a practice? Do they have to be an enrolled student? When's the last day to add/drop a class? The answers to those may help to narrow who is being looked at.

What does this team need more of on the ice right now: Grit or Goals. I see Kaip, Watkins, Jones, Finley, and Malone (even Kozek) out there "load testing" the boards with opposing players. What I also see is an anemic 26 goals in 9 games (< 3 goals per game). That number needs to be closer to 4 goals per game if the plan is to fill in some open rafter space.

Riddle me this: Whom do you sit to play Radke? Miller? Martens? Malone? Surely not Oshie, Duncan, Vande Velde, Kaip, Watkins, Kozek. Not Zajac or Frattin or Trupp. Not Genoway. So, whom?

I asked John Gotti for permission. He said there's no such thing as the mafia (kind of like Alaska-Anchorage's mythical Seawolf) so it's OK.

That is because of the young defense of this team. With a young defense a ball control offense becomes more critical. The more time your offense has the ball the less time your defense is on the field. So how do you achieve this? Run the ball more and go for short completions to keep the clock running. The key is first downs and possession. If you can pound it at the other team (running or low-risk passing) you are maintaining possession, gaining ground, and wearing out their defense. After doing this a while, yes, if it's there, you take the deep shot. However, if you have backs like Chappell and Murray, or run after catch receivers like Dressler and Trenbeath, more often than not the long pass doesn't happen because they break loose on a simple play.

There's this new thing called "Google". I put in "hockey trap Wiki" and got .... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_zone_trap There, now you know how to fish. Catch some on your own.

Folks, if you didn't realize this season's defense would be a work in progress with growing pains at times you hadn't been paying attention. You can't lose the quantity and quality of players UND did over the last two years and not feel some growing pains. They haven't always been assignment sharp and they've been fooled a couple times. They also are learning that wrapping up in college is a lot tougher than in HS. But, UND got through this season, with some injuries to boot, and have a pretty decent defense. And for the first time all year it's healthy. (Healthy for the playoffs. Darn the bad luck. ) I'd say the coordinators did pretty well all things considered, and I'm looking forward to seeing a "year smarter" defense next season. They should be a lot of fun to watch. What I like is that this year we really only lose Alexander, Meek, Cadwell, Weigelt, and a few supporting folks. A year ago that's all we were keeping! What concerns me more is next year's offense. Losing Dressler, four offensive linemen, the starting FB and TE, and a couple others puts a lot of pressure on Dan Freund and Ryan Chappell (and Josh Murray) next year.

1. What is their mascot doing anywhere near our goaltender? JPL should've flipped him with the spatula then "waffled" him. 2. " ... the dressing rooms for the visiting team and the mascot playing Bucky are in the same hallway, and they share a tunnel to the ice ... " --> That's not very smart. But, it is Wisconsin.

That, and both Russian goals were ... on the power play.

Mentioning use of a stick on a leg .... What was that crap little tug-hook Turris took at Jones' ankle during the opening volleys of the 3rd period melee? Jones should have "stored" Turris' stick for him for that.

Food for thought for the team going into this week: First Previously 0-8 St. Louis - 37 Currently 4-5 New Orleans - 29 Next Clear favorite Buffalo - 13 Cake-wake patsy Miami - 10 Just showing up isn't good enough. Come to play.