The Sicatoka

You were in REA Saturday night?

I do believe the request by UND and denial by Spicer to do a USHL year was reported by the GF Herald.

For those of you home on MLK Day and with NHL Network ... Coming up at 4 Eastern, 3 Central: https://www.biosteelallamericangame.com/2023game Rosters: https://www.biosteelallamericangame.com/news_article/show/1255315 Strathman and Emerson on Team White (Livanevage is injured scratch).

It's not hate, it's disappointment. Big body, good skills, ... and invisible most nights. I like my defensemen invisible and unnoticed*, not my forwards. *When a defenseman is memorable it's seldom for good reasons.

Forward? Looking to who'll have a slot next year: 27 centering 9, 17: 27 should get a ton of "trailer" and "grease" goals, and some defense on that line finally 8 centering 26, 21: take some of the physical load off 8 (if you've been watching he's been banging hard out there) 18 centering 20, 29: put 18 back at center, tell 29 "hit or sit", if he doesn't 22 moves up 11 centering 13, 22: 22 would be the effective extra skater or in-game line switch (for 9, 26, or 29), take some pressure off him Sit: 10, 19, 5, 28. <- there, I said it

I'd like to hear about the old Hakstol post game grading (1, 2, or 3). Frankly, I'd like to see it after the games this weekend.

If the coaches are playing favorites, we can find new coaches.

If you don't play as a member of a team, the portal's over there.

Skate or sit. What a concept. Dean Blais where have you gone.

Q: Trevor Lawrence, you just completed a 27-point comeback! What are you doing next? A: I'm going to ...

For those of you looking for answers I refer you to ...

Fixed that for you because my knowledge would fill most of a thimble.

None I can prove. I can point out what I see. I can't prove why it's happening.

In the timespan of 2020-2022* was there a lack of player fundamentals development in lower tier hockey because of reduced coaching contact? If so, are we seeing it now and those fundamentals need to be (re-)taught like pee-wees/squirts all over. If you don't constantly reinforce fundamentals they are lost quickly. *Not using the word, just citing the timeframe.

A defenseman can't keep the shooter to the outside and cover a trailer on an odd-man.

Like I said after Friday: Frisch can direct traffic and call coverage all day, but if no one back checks and covers all he'll get for his trouble is a minus. At risk of repeating myself, 9 and 17 are defensive liabilities. Stats say 22 is no better. All are -9. They all need more team defense in their game. And who's out there with them most often? Our best defender, 15, who gets the -9 prize of being with them while trying to do it all defensively by himself (see above).

Or maybe they're living in a pre-St. Thomas world still.

Western's last goal: Four white shirts outside and below the dot. One lonely black shirt in the mid slot. One goalie on the clothesline. Whose man was it? Do they no longer teach team defensive zone coverage?

He’d be the mentor and role model to the next generation.

Then they need 25 to stay (doubtful) or convince 15 to stay for his Covid season and wear the C.

Someone mentioned next year's defense Gone: 2, 3, 7 Could be gone: 15, 25 Returns: 4, 6, 24 <--the turnover trio (OK, they ice it unnecessarily also)

The quiet parts are now going to be said: 9 and 17 are defensive liabilities. See: WMU seventh goal. Four white jerseys at the boards and a shooter sitting open in the slot. They need to be split up. 10 and 19 need to sit. Put in 18 and 26. At this point it's about next season's roster and seeing who can develop over the next 12 games. Our defensemen need to stay on their feet! One of the goals 24 and 3 were both down on the ice trying to block passes and instead hung out 1 worse as they slid through the play.

Airlifted to Mayo right after his ENG.

Which is surprising given the liberties most are given to hit him.