The Sicatoka

Doesn't he have his own operation at BSU to run now? Why bring him up?

That he admitted it and you won't.

The Sioux defense of this year will not be the mean-and-make-you-squeal, physically punishing variety like Schneider-Jones-Greene-Finley-Fuher a few years back. However, Radke-Chorney-Jones-Lee-Finley may be the most skilled and talented group of defensemen at UND since the early 1980s (and we know about the long pro careers of James Patrick, Craig Ludwig, and Rick Zombo). Putting my thought another way: - In the Schneider et al era, UND's defense was disparaged as "can't make a break-out pass" (but could they break you). - Now, in the Chorney-Jones-Lee et al era UND's defense isn't physical enough for the pundits. Different styles, but they'll still dominate the ice in their own way. Which WCHA D-corps would Lammy trade for those guys? There's your answer.

Apologies, but you two were the first two I figured to come back with an "I expected it" response to my Point Five. (PCM was third choice. Feel better? )

The weather always seems to choose "trick".

My Top 5 WCHA predictions: 1. Duluth will be the biggest "up mover". I can't pick SCSU in that role due to their showing late last season. People will see Motzko's boys coming (and be ready) moreso than Sandy's lads. 2. Wisconsin will be the biggest "down mover". They lost a lot of skilled, experienced guys and it takes new players time to adapt to the Eaves system. If this doesn't happen hand the Hobey to Brian Elliott. 3. More than half of MSU-Mankato's goals will come from freshmen. Where else will they come from? 4. Something will happen that none of us expect. 5. Someone will claim they expected it anyway. (That's called pre-empting Dirty and redwing77.)

I'm sure Dave Hakstol hasn't. Why would he give away his personal ouija board?

If this is a pool (ala jimdahl) I'm taking Halloween. The weather always seems crappy on Halloween.

More surprising is that this hasn't either.

You want a link? This is a link.

Sunday's Forum ad (quarter-pager) went out of its way to not use the phrases "UND" or "Sioux" as did the electronic board as I drove by the 45th Street Scheel's in Fargo later that day; I found it a rather glaring omission.

No, the BaldChickenPurpleMonkeyWeaselCommanders.

Go BaldChickenMonkeyWeasels!

Have you noticed the ads? He's a current Devil. He's a former Hobey finalist. He's a former NCAA scoring leader. He's a former Team USA Under-20 player. He's not a former player for (must be unspeakable) anywhere, in any ad. ____ Scheel's.

Fixed that for you. (It's after quittin' time for me. )

I have an idea on how to prove it scientifically: Let's inflict the same injuries on a 'volunteer test subject' and then time how long they survive. I even have a "volunteer test subject" in mind ....

One, and only one, "Phil" matters in college hockey, and even then it's "Phillippe", not "Phil". PL > P(tO-mW)K

C'mon. We all know he's really innocent. Let's just release him, let him go, about 1245 hours on 16 Sep 2006 in the parking lot south of Alerus Center near the tent that'll be erected there. However, I do think he should be really careful if we do release him right then, right there: He, above all, knows bad things can happen to people in parking lots. Sing it Toby and Willie ... "Grandpappy told my pappy ... "

I missed it: Is that real or not?

I've never understood why attendance matters to an organization based on what is best for the amateur student athlete and amateurism. Minimum mandatory attendance criteria reeks of professionalism in what should be pristine amateur sport. If "School X" can afford 85 scholarships (say they have a kind benefactor) that is best for the amateur student athlete: So why does it matter how many people are in the stands.

I bet Tim and Swyg had sidebets going: - when the first post would show up after mentioning the site - how many posts in how long after mentioning I hope they both lost.

Why should any of this surprise any of you who've been paying attention? Myles Brand has pondered aloud that maybe he should stop people from freely giving their own money to the place of their choosing.

Dr. Charles E. Kupchella is a wise man. Read my signature.

The blessing in all of this? The "Kermit's luck guides our puck" vintage of UND hockey fans won't be able to submit "Frogs" as a replacement name if the Sioux name is ever retired.

Noteworthy exception: BoSox fans.