The Sicatoka

Let's hope this was our "US International" wake-up call for the season. If you don't know what that is, ... you're bandwagon. (I actually watched that debacle from the old REA press box as fate would have it.)

You miss on 100% of the shots that are wide.

10 solo, 7 assists, 17 tackles, 2 int, and a kick block in 12 games. That ain't Robby G (49/35/84, 6 int, in 15 games). Grimsley's loss will be felt more than Stick's loss. That's my prediction.

I am no NDSU roster expert, and I do not mean to undervalue Mr. Stick, but I believe losing SS Robby Grimsley is a larger hit to the defense than losing Stick is to the offense. Why? They'll still have that core functionality, that offensive line, that Oxbow and Blackheart could play behind. But in a Tampa 2 scheme you need a great MLB and safeties that make consistently good decisions. Grimsley's been that safety (blanket) for a long time and that's very hard to replace.

The losers with the shiny offices in Indianapolis that govern college athletics?

Larsen? What would the NCAA think of that (improper benefit?), or because they are seniors and have no more eligibility it's no big deal (and that may well be the case).

"Skate or sit." (c) Dean Blais

I see some housecleaning that need be done.

Goals by Forwards: Gardner 8 Mismash 5 Kawaguchi 3 Senden 3 This means that last minute roster add Mark Senden is outscoring Jones, Smith, Hoff, Adams, JJ, Hain, Johnson Weatherby, Keane, Yon, and Bowen. (At least Jones missed 7 games.) Worse? JBD, Kiersted, and Poolman each have 4 goals. Look where they fall into that list.

That'll happen in twenty-oh-never.

I keep saying it because it's true. I'm hoping that someone finally figures out that you don't need fancy schemes or systems but what you do need is a relentless commitment to be exceptional at what you do. Every day, every practice, every snap, every step, every move. If it's not exact, do it again or find someone who will. So how do you stop the NDSU momentum. You don't. What you do do is ... Control what's yours to control: Become relentlessly exceptional at what you do. The rest will take care of itself from there.

Where in this lineup is the guy that strikes fear into opposing defenses? That's the problem.

I said before the season I figured this team would be "offensively challenged" at best. What scares me is I was at the GB/Fargo USHL game Saturday and Mancinelli and Costello really didn't do anything that stood out offensively. At least Frisch had a sound defensive game.

Missing a starting FB in a power run offense is a big deal; yet, he didn't travel with the teams and it wasn't reported until game time?

It's mind boggling to me how NDSU can really not do anything special on offense but be so dominant. As I've said, they don't do anything exceptional, but what they do they do exceptionally well.

I think I'm pulling for the Swiss. Not sure exactly why, but their flag is a big plus.

Lingonberries v Chocolateers. Nice.

Do they reseed for the semis or will one semi be FIN v SUI?

Thank goodness the Red flows north or we'd be flooded with tears.

If I type this and hit 'return' it goes here. If I type this but hit 'shift' and 'return' at the same time it goes here. Is that what you mean?

So ... nobody's linked to the MJHL website to learn more? https://www.mjhlhockey.ca/

Yes.

Felt sorry for the U18 lads as they were stuck in MSP Sunday night.

So how would private equity investments work in light of the DI principal of institutional control? Wouldn’t the investors not the university run things? And how is that not professionalism? The NCAA best tread lightly. Lose that amateur tag and Congress could get interested and that’s always fun. https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/2018/12/want-to-buy-a-stake-in-the-pac-12-conference-its-exploring-taking-on-private-equity-partners.html

Santa doesn’t punt. And he sure doesn’t run double reverses.