The Sicatoka

But it sure would be nice to have something that isn't confused for "Our Lady of South Bend" all the time.

They tend not to use the "devil in the D logo" on small presentations (like on that hat) because it's difficult to manufacture and recognize at that size. (The same could be said of the old Ben Brien logo.)

From the link above: Whoever said, "There is no room for error from this committee when they announce their finalists", that sentiment is exactly in "Second, ... " above.

The greatest marketeer in the world could not market the image on this canvas. That's what UND is trying to market right now.

Last night Duke played basketball. Everyone knows Duke. The announcers say Duke. Fans say Duke. Yet, they have the "Blue Devils" nickname and logo. They could run as just "Duke", but they don't. Now why is that? Marketing and Merchandising.

I always thought they blew it going to Eagles. Their answer was obvious: The Eastern Michigan University Emus. Yes, the EMU Emus! Logo.

That's why I mentioned the Washington Wizards. That's probably the best example from the pro sports realm (same franchise rebranded). The next couple would probably be Baltimore (Ravens) and Houston (Texans), but those were different franchises. Then again, the name changes in the college realm are vast. Sure, there are UMass Redmen fans out there, but UMass is now the Minutemen.

Yup. And that's not the way North Dakotans (other than "try to renege on the settlement agreement" Al Carlson) do business. Yup.

He thins his. Substantially. Frequently. And overtly.

If we don't pick something, something will happen and someone (probably without UND's best interests in mind) will find a less than completely complimentary tag to stick on us. (See: the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers) I'm sure our wonderfully helpful neighbors to the south are working feverishly to fill the void that'd be open in a "no nickname" world.

So in the East we're down to nine for eight slots. OK, really five for four slots as MON, TB, NYR, and WAS are locks; but, NYI is fairly safe as they'd have to lose out and have OTT win out to pass them. The music is going to stop and someone out of !@$, %$#, DET, and OTT isn't going to have a chair. I want to say OTT is in the tough place (93 points v. 95 for rest) but the way $#@ has been stumbling down the stretch the %#$ just might get Hamburgled. %$#@OTT tonight is probably a tipping point for the #%. Part of me also wonders if the season ending OTT@PHI game decides if it's OTT or %$# if the PHI goalie might not "Ole!" a couple for OTT just to stick it to the %$#. Out west looks very similar: four locks (STL, NAS, CHI, ANA) and VAN is fairly safe unless they lose out. The music is playing for MIN, WPG, CGY, and LAK. The LAK are in the tough spot because they have too many "magic points" (extra OT tie point) and not enough Ws. I'm thinking the LAK@CGY game Thursday decides who goes golfing.

You forgot the Washington Bullets Wizards.

I hereby declare 'mksioux' winner of this thread.

Well, they are in the B1G ...

They selling catheters with beer?

Shouldn't the Big XII be a bit embarrassed that they have to pull in six teams, an entire single-sport conference, to save the autobid for the (mere) four teams in their own conference? The WWC should make OU, OSU, ISU, WVU join the WWC.

I hope players are focusing on what's important ... The only pivotal game is the next game. If not, instead of "H v B" it'll be an all HEA final.

The NCAA seeds the tournament based on PWR (objective) not the USCHO poll (subjective). When the bracket was formed: #1PWR (1 Midwest) - MSU-Mankato #2PWR (1 West) - North Dakota #3PWR (1 Mideast) - Boston University #4PWR (1 East) - Miami UND is the highest remaining seed. As such they get the home rink locker room and will wear white.

I hope Blais' team is looking ahead ...

I think he knew/knows he was/is playing for a spot ... on next year's roster. When he gets the first one to go the flood gates will open (and I was sure O'D had set him up for it in Fargo).

We can't talk about that Summit school because they did the unthinkable -- they dropped football and wrestling (two programs that needed significant subsidies at that particular school*) and went with ice hockey (something that may have a shot at gating expenses there*) instead. *This sentence only speaks to circumstance at a particular school, interests, and fan base. Your mileage may vary.

Don't you mean he has some "filthy mitts"?

1-0 RIT end of one.

This BC team looks nothing like BC teams of the past I'm used to seeing. This version looks slow and tentative; past versions played race horse hockey. RIT kills off another penalty (two on the day). 1-0 RIT. And right on cue RIT takes another penalty.

... and they've since missed an empty net (should be 2-0 but no).