The Sicatoka

A hat trick in the context used to today or a hat trick in the original context which is normally called a "natural hat trick" today? Originally, for a hat trick, you had to score three goals in succession. These days that's called a "natural" hat trick and just getting three goals in a game is called a hat trick. When it happens at a game with real fans, all the hats in the crowd end up on the ice as a salute to the player. The last one for UND at REA was Parise's against Niagara. Bochenski had one the night before.

Matt Commodore, Mike's younger brother, was supposed to be a part of this year's freshman class. He blew a knee playing juniors about a year and half ago. Think about this: If his health would have been good, and with Smaby coming next year, and with Jones and Greene in, the UND defense wouldn't have taken anyone to the mat; the Matt would have come to them!

Come on folks, I like to refer to that banner as "The Maytag Repair Guy Banner." It's lonely.

Why would JBB hang around a DII board? I thought NDSU was now a DI powerhouse.

SDSUFAN: Very interesting. Anything new on the "Grassy Knoll" or Jimmy Hoffa's location?

JBB, I'm just sure UND will take your ideas "under advisement," but I'm pretty sure UND will follow PCM's recommended course of action before moving forward.

JBB: Could it be that hockey is the priority at some of these schools in question and that their priorities differ from those at NDSU (whose priority is football)? Isn't that alone an acceptable answer to the situation? Most of the schools in question are in Minnesota and Minnesota tends to produce a significant number of DI hockey talent and has significant interest in hockey. It only makes sense for them to treat hockey as a priority. You don't have to like or agree with their priorities, you just need to acknowledge that there may be differing priorities.

I shudder at the thought of Dickinson HS playing BHS.

Why not ask your local TV/cable providers to trade their feed of UND at CC for REA/WDAZ's/MidcoCable's feed of CC at UND. Then folks on Midco cable could watch the games down at CC!

farce: Look at UND's hockey schedule last and this season. Non-conference games (outside of tournaments where UND doesn't control opponent) they've played: Minnesota (Hall of Fame game) Maine St. Lawrence Canisius Princeton Yale Brown One of those is a IA football program. Another is a DIII. The rest are DIAA football programs. Food for thought.

"Asked if high school and college teams should stop using Indian nicknames, 81% of Native American respondents said no." Peter Harris Research Group, as reported in Sports Illustrated, March 4, 2002 In America when you follow the will of the majority you are doing what your friend asks.

I find it most amazing that 'tony' pointed it out first, and he's "scream yellow" all the way, yet it's the fault of UND fans.

(In my very best Casey Kasem impression voice) This very special request is going out across the miles from "Bison Bob" to "JBB." Here's "Livin' on Tulsa Time."

So you can only use certain words based on the melanin content of your skin?

Come on 'forecheck,' we all know that's called the "Best Buy key."

Toss this idea out at the message board at USCHO.com and see what you get. That'll be more people to try to answer the question.

tony: UMary seems to have a lot of money lately. They're building and expanding all the time out on the hills south of Bismarck. Don't ask me how, but it's there. " ... they're going to have to battle just to have a winning season every year, plus they'd end up spending twice as much ... " Isn't that what Sioux fans said about NDSU going DI?

The Mary Maurauders and the Jamestown College Jimmies in the NSIC. There's an angle that had never occurred to me. Though, the whispers I heard about Mary said DII, and NCC. as the goal. A start in the NSIC wouldn't be a bad approach.

JBB: About the Minnesota schools, I agree. That sort of consolidation should be looked at here. We have too many schools and too much overhead associated with them. (I believe SD has six state schools, Wyoming has less than a handful, in similarly populated states. ND has what, 13?) I heard about that resolution also. Yes, it's only a resolution so it has no binding power; but, yes again, it shows the mindset of where the division. However, you could read that and interpret it to mean that they want the number of scholarships to go down, ... or up. Do we know where those conferences stand? (I'm asking.) That resolution is headed for a hearing early in 2003. Like I've said before: UND has through August to send a letter and put itself in the same position that NDSU has adopted. I preached "patience" last year regarding the hockey team at UND. I think I'm about to preach it here. PS - Bismarck St. Mary's is the Catholic HS (like Fargo Shanley). The University of Mary (formerly Mary College) is the school that I heard whispers of having visions of DII.

and Wahpeton (NDSCS) has been having budget and enrollment problems and sits an hour away from Fargo. Add to that that BSC has been adding two-year programs that they don't have the classroom space for all the people who want to enroll and it looks better for them. Both are trying to be the two-year tech school for the state. That's why I say one or the other because you need someone to fill that role, be it one or the other. With UND and NDSU looking to grow, and Lake Region, Mayville, VC, and Wahpeton all within an hour-ish drive to them, maybe it's time to take a hard look at the issue. It's been brought up before. It would kill some of those towns. There isn't an easy solution.

Greyeagle: Don't mess this up or it'll get Handy's panties in a twist. I believe he found and pointed out that the Big Ten bylaw says they CAN form Big Ten competition when six or more play, but they are not compelled to. (This has been beaten to death on USCHO.)

If I were a betting man on disappearing campuses it'd go like this: Bottineau Lake Region (at Devils Lake) Mayville Williston Wahpeton or Bismarck (just one of the two two-years, the other'd survive) Valley City That would leave UND, NDSU, Minot, and Dickinson. There'd be privates (UMary, Jamestown College) in between.

I have a solution that'll make everyone happy, even JBB! Let Wanless interview Lennon, but send him Babich to coach the team! PS - My guess is the coordinator from the rival down the road (Davis) has the inside lane. A guy like that has to have better connections in the local recruiting market. However, Lennon, with his track record, can't be far behind.

Could NDSU add hockey? Sure, if they had the facilities, but the rest of their athletic house had better be in order (fiscally) or the howls from the academics and the TeamMakers could be deafening. I'm not saying it can't happen, but for it to happen the circumstances have to be very right. I think "DI" in itself is probably enough on Gene Taylor's plate for quite a while. I'd guess he'd agree. But JBB, not long ago you were saying hockey expense (and losses) was the reason that SCSU and MSU-Mankato wouldn't go up. Now you are saying hockey could be a revenue generator. I believe that is what 'Goon' tried to call you on. PS - UNO is in the CCHA with Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, et al.

Speez just reminded me of a news story from a couple of years ago. Williston HS had just made the state hockey tournament for the first time. They came to the arena to practice. The Sioux were on the ice getting a skate in before getting on the bus to a road game. The TV cameras were there to interview the Coyotes. They captured the kids watching the Sioux practice. Those kids all just stood there with their mouths hanging open and this stunned look on their faces. One of the Coyotes told the reporter something like: Their goalies skate faster in practice than our forwards!