The Sicatoka

"I'm here all weekend. Next show's at 8:30. Try the veal. Don't forget to tip your host or hostess. G'night everyone!"

Here ya go ...

Allow me to say there is some benefit to having REA run as a separate entity as it is. Don't believe me? How many millions of "deferred maintenance" did Kennedy have to get off of UND's books because UND wasn't doing the maintenance on the facilities. If that's how UND would run The Ralph (putting off maintenance) I don't want them running it.

So how'd we come away as far as injury recovery or new ones?

Whomever the emissary of the chosen informs us has been anointed is said "grand slam". Translated: We'll know when gfhockey lets us know who won dice at gobc coffee*; they get to pick the president; we'll hear the name then. *Something this important they do over morning coffee at the truck stop (not saying not hungover) to show proper gravitas.

We're crashing toward the end of spring semester. Don't we start to hear about "will not returns" at or about finals week? I look at the forwards in the pipeline, the departures, the open slots at forward, and the math isn't working ... yet.

My guess is the changes will be subtle and nuanced from the 2018-19 jerseys: North Dakota on the front; hawk on the shoulder; maybe re-striped (as some say) like Dallas. That's it. Why do I say that? Brad Berry has final call on the jersey. He's never said "Hawks"; he was forced into the "on the shoulder hawk". You won't see further movement toward it. That's my prediction. Make me wrong, Brad.

I have a buddy from NJ who had to go to an event in Milwaukee. He flew to Chicago and thought the drive to Milwaukee was "long"; but, he called me up and said he was "real close by" and wondered if he should drive out and visit, 'cause WI and ND are close ... He got it after the third time I said, " ... more than 8 hours in the car ... ".

When'd they join the NCHC?

To me, the guy with resume is Schneekloth. But is assistant at AHL better than assistant at NCAA.

Oh. Wait. You said ... "Shaw's Gone."

I believe we need to set up to get the next generation behind the bench. DU did it abruptly by going with Carle. Berry and Jackson are the same "mid-80s" vintage. I'd like to see someone from the late 90s era, a bit more relateable to today's recruits.

Penguins marched.

Lightning arrested.

Happiest group to see all those nasty hits? Columbus. And they're hoping TOR/BOS goes seven games like that.

The IIHF story makes no sense. Here's why. USA took a tripping penalty on the play. It was on the goalie. Yes, the tripping was on Rigsby served by Carpenter. Now look at the video. Rigsby never had possession*. Then she trips (put IIHF Rule 185 into the mix here). And then the next player with control of the puck ... scores. There was no change of possession for a whistle. Good goal. I say the Fins were robbed. *If she had possession, the trip never happened because it would've been after the whistle of goalie with possession.

I hope the coaches aren't falling into a mental trap: "We need 21-23 year olds on the squad." Yeah, you do, but they also need 2-3 years of NCHC play and that age. (See: UMD)

Saturday night: Duluth scores. I pick up remote, look at guests and say, "Congrats to Duluth", and switch to the NHL game that was on. Switched back just in time to see it go 3-0.

If Jones was a golfer trying to putt he'd have an all-time case of the yips.

Ovechkin the playmaking set up guy?

Was CAR79 worth a major? No. Should CAR have two minors on play (high stick to face and charging)? Yes. WAS should’ve had 5x3.

Bolts better channel their inner Capitals. Caps had same position last year.

On the Weah run: 19 better fix his tackling form or he’ll be in concussion protocol sooner than later.

That height and basketball screams corner route. But 185 and that tall? He’ll need some mass added.