Old Barn Guy at Home

When we left AZ in late May last year, both the one in Mesa and one in a western suburb were closed. I had some friends that went to the one in Mesa to watch a game, and the place was locked up, apparently with a sign stating they were no longer open.

I posted this on the game-day thread from last night, but more people will probably see this on today's thread. Does anybody know if there is another venue (like the O'Sullivan's) in the Phoenix, AZ area where we could view the games next week with other Sioux hockey fans? I understand that the O'Sullivan's closed their doors last year. I would appreciate hearing any info before next Tuesday morning, as we are flying out that day. Thanks.

Also: Does anybody have a suggestion as to where we can see the games next weekend on tv with other Sioux hockey fans in Phoenix/Scottsdale Arizona? I believe that the O'Sullivan's bars have since closed their doors, so maybe another venue has taken over for watching the Sioux. I would appreciate hearing any suggestions before Tuesday morning, as our flight leaves that day.

I have to admit that I didn't read all of the posts on this thread (yet), but I have to say this about last night's game: I have watched Sioux hockey since the early 60's, both live and on tv. Last night's game has to be one of the best team performances I have ever seen. To take in to consideration the opponent they had, and the circumstances that had it a "must win," I have to say it was truly a masterpiece of defensive play and that includes all players. The penalty kill was also outstanding, smothering the DU pp like a wet blanket on a small campfire. Hats off to the coaches and players for a tremendous performance last night, and I wish them the best in the future games this season.

I just saw a headline that Dean Blais has decided to retire from coaching the Mavs in Omaha. Best of luck to him and enjoy the fishing and hunting that he so much enjoys. Thanks for everything that he did at UND and for US hockey.

Also note: Blackhawks didn't play on Saturday night (so Schmaltz was "available"). Could this be a continuance of "Olson's" emergence as a game-breaking scorer? Check my comments from a previous game's thread a week ago. Coincidence??? St. Cloud will now probably buy into a "conspiracy theory."

Parade Arena was one of the rinks in the first movie. I also believe they filmed in the Robbinsdale Arena where the two Robbinsdale High Schools played (Cooper and Armstrong). I recognized the rinks inside from when I coached in the Twin Cities.

Your calculations make a lot of sense. Therefore: The NCAA will obviously NOT use this format!

OK, so Olson gets two goals (both winners) in successive games. Schmaltz misses the two Blackhawks' games on the same nights as UND's games. Coincidence?? You don't suppose...........no, that would be too crazy. But.........these were "must win" games for UND.

Henry Ford had a great quote: "Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."

I am a memeber of the Blackhawks message boards. You are right, some of the posters there have their own "whipping boys" on the Hawks, and they don't have to have too much motivation to get on the "trade him" or "what was the coach thinking of" types of responses. I actually see a lot of parallels between this board and the Blackhawks' board. The game day part of their boards are a great way to stay informed about the here and now goings on in Chicago. I was fortunate to attend the game in Chicago when they beat Montreal 3-2 in early November. It is an experience I will always remember. If you are a Blackhawks fan, you have to put that on your "bucket list."

I remember someone throwing a large carp-like fish over the "chicken wire" at the old Winter Sports Building in the early 60's. I think the Sioux may have been playing the Selkirk Fishermen from up in Manitoba, early in their season.

Remember that this team is missing 9 top-level players from last year's squad. Yeah, they are, at times, difficult to watch because of their lack of performing as they should, but remember that a lot of them are not even through their first season at the D1 level. Patience as a fan is sometimes hard to endure, but this team will get better as the season progresses. And don't forget that they played the past couple of games without one of the top offensive talents in the college game today. That didn't help the past weekend, but maybe in the long run the younger players, and even the veterans, will learn to elevate their games to where they need to be to win at the D1 level.

To misinformed Gopher fans: The last couple of times the Gophs played the Bison, how did those games work out? Now for UND to set the record straight and keep the North Dakota streak rolling along.

I'm just wondering where in North Dakota you will find a HAWK with a white head? I think there are fish hawks in Southeast Asia or South America, but to my knowledge, there are no hawks with white heads in North Dakota. Maybe they should have chosen the name EAGLES. In North Dakota, we do have eagles with white heads.

Great experience watching the game in north Scottsdale with my wife and son, and a lot of other Sioux hockey fans. The boys left no doubt which was the better team tonight!

My wife and I will be going to the All American Modern Sports Grill with our son, in north Scottsdale. Go Sioux!! crb1 ++++ hilarious!

And I'll be coaching you there.

According to what I just read on the College Hockey sight, both Q and Boston College won last night. Q beat Cornell 5-2 and BC beat Vermont 3-0. I hope that somehow I am wrong, but it's too good to be true. Boston U did get beat last night. Just went back the College Hockey sight and see that they lost games TODAY, to the aforementioned teams. That's good (would have been even better if they had also lost last night).

Although I wasn't able to watch the games (I did see the scoring videos that were posted on this website), I do know that DU has improved greatly since their earlier visit to GF. I totally agree that they (DU) were probably also a big factor in the way the games turned out.

I'm in agreement with you if you are saying that the outside ice practice was not the problem for the team. I was only commenting on your statement in your first post (which I am now not able to find). I was under the impression that you were claiming that the pretty much the only difference between inside and outside ice was the roof over the indoor ice. I think the most probable cause for the apparent lackluster performances was the flu, the altitude, injuries unknown to us, or a combination of those. Also, with some key players just returning to the line up that weekend, they probably weren't at their game conditioning level yet.

You couldn't be more WRONG about the ice comparison. Apparently you have never skated outside. The ice is different, and with the many cracks and bumps, no matter how minute, it is amazing that there haven't been more injuries. I'm not talking about the NHL-type outside ice that is pampered and worked on by professional rink workers. The outside ice at community rinks, while not terribly dangerous, they still are not the same. I speak from experience because my high school team (on which I played) played all of our home games outside. My first time in indoor ice was at the OLD barn. What a treat that was, especially with no wind!

You really hit the nail on the head. With the present goaltending situation, UND has the depth and talent to be a serious contender at the end of the year. A lot of things can happen between now and then, but knowing we have the potential to shut a team down (esp. one that had scored 24 in the previous 4 games) gives us the opportunity to win ANY game we are in. I also believe the team has begun to play with more confidence, knowing that if they make a mistake, someone is backing them with strength to keep them in the game. Last night's game was far from our best effort, but Cam kept us in there. I am looking for a hungrier group of Hawks to come out of the chutes tonight, as I expect the Dogs will also be highly motivated to gain a split.