siouxyeahyeah

I don't even know where to start with some of you clowns. First of all, has anyone checked the strength of our schedule so far this season? If I'm not mistaken, we're at the top of the list. Could that possibly be a factor in this mediocre play by our squad? Second, a coach can only motivate and teach so much and then it is up to the players to put forth the effort, motivation, skill, work ethic, and whatever else it takes to win games. We could have the greatest coach in the history of hockey at UND right now and we'd still be pretty much at the same place we are now. The problem is we have players that won't step up and be leaders. We have players not playing smart (Smaby to name one) and taking dumb penalties. Sometimes we are put in tough positions by bad reffing. We're missing over 100 points right now (from Bochenski, ZPar, and Murray) which is not easy to overcome. At the same time, I have seen lots of flashes and even (gasp!) longer periods of time where our team looks unbeatable. The problem is we can't put 60 of those minutes together to save our lives. I personally think that many of our power play opportunities have looked better than last year's did. We actually have people shooting ON THE NET instead of passing around the perimeter. I would get sooo frustrated last year on the PP that I began to wish to be on the PK because we would play better then. My point in all this is that there is still a lot of season to be played. There are still leaders to surface and roles to be filled on the team. Whoever thought losing ZPar and Bochenski wouldn't affect this team was on some serious drugs - the sniper in Bochenski has been greatly missed and I don't have to tell you all what kind of a presence Zach had on the team. Chill out, and have a little faith. I'd rather have the rough, character-building, soul-searching moments now than come April wouldn't you?? And lay off of Hakstol - he's one of the smartest coaches I know of and understands the game better than most or all of us on here. Let him do his job and support him instead of pushing for his firing or telling people how much he sucks. This team will turn around - you'll see. And when it does how many of you will be eating crow???

That was mine...I think I might have it somewhere...If I do I'll make sure it gets in good hands.

Students get roughly 2200 seats in the Ralph. That's 20%.

Fixed your post.

Although everyone doesn't have to be present on the 3rd to get their name on the card, everyone on the card must be present Saturday at noon to buy their ticket. They will be making allowances for extenuating circumstances (i.e. being in a wedding, etc.) and thus letting someone else buy your ticket for you. The nice thing is this way only 1 person out of the 4 has to be in line at any one time, cutting down on crowds at the Ralph and cutting down on everyone having to stand in line at all times. They will number the cards once the line has been established Friday morning. Basically it's a mad dash from 6th street to the Ralph since that is when the numbering (and therefore the order of buying tickets) takes place. I think it's the best way to make sure no cutting happens this year. I'm on the Student Events Atmopheric Committee (or whatever it's called) so if you have questions I should be able to answer them.

This statement can't possibly be backed with facts. How do you know what happens in practice, the locker room, during games on the bench, etc? I have talked to many people about Brandt, his work ethic, and his attitude and have never once heard his character labeled as "questionable." Sure, he had some rough games, but he also had some huge ones. Ability and performance are not and should not be directly related to character. If that were the case, remember Bochenski's slump? I am sure you would not ever consider calling his character anything even close to questionable. Mark my words, Brandt will prove to be a huge asset to our team this year from his leadership to his locker room and practice attitude and even (GASP!!) from his play on the ice during big games.

I wouldn't consider him my "favorite" but who doesn't love Babington-Johnson? I mean, the kid dances while the band plays prior to face offs, he dances on the sidelines, he dances everywhere. He gets really pumped up really quickly. It pays off, too. That kid sheds blockers like no one's business. Just really a fun guy to watch.

I think all sprig was trying to say is that if you say that it's a great thing for fans of hockey to have the frozen four in their own backyard then you seem to be a pretty big fan. Big hockey fans usually follow the frozen four no matter where it is and even if their team isn't in it. It wasn't meant to be a personal attack but you took it that way. It seems to me California is full of stupid, idiot people too, and I don't know where your racist comment came from, since from careful review of this thread and its responses I saw no evidence of a racist statement in the whole thread. You asked about future frozen four sites. You got a factual response. You just chose to blow a simple suggestion made towards an assumed big hockey fan (you) way out of proportion. Settle down, you're among friends here - IF you're a Sioux fan. If not, then watch your back.

And of course, whatever the Herald thinks is obviously the correct and best answer.

Good point, I had forgotten about the Money Line hiatus...I feel better now.

One worry I have is that this year, a lot of the times when Bochenski scored it was a direct result of someone setting him up beautifully. That role belonged pretty much entirely to Parise this year. Parise would get into the corners and dig out the puck, or make a defensive steal, or some other such play to get the puck on Brandon's stick so he could score. I was not and will not be worried that Parise isn't around next year, but nevertheless someone needs to be centering who is a play-maker. Brandon isn't a huge one...who will be??

I'm a little leery about Prpich...he's still kind of a loose cannon/troublemaker at times. Don't know if I'd want him with an A, just in case he can't keep his cool.

What about Genoway? He seemed as much of a leader (if not more) than Bochenski, Jones, etc.....I would assume Schneider and the C won't be different next year.

If the national anthem can't be sung in under a minute, it's too slow IMHO. That, and sing it in a low enough key so those who don't normally sing can hit the notes. I would personally like to hear people at every game sing along with the soloist. After all, it's not about the soloist it's about America, right? Besides, most people don't buy a ticket to the game to hear how the anthem will be sung that night, they buy the ticket to see the game. Sing the anthem quickly and correctly and this world would be a better place. Just my $.02....

Junior came in basically as an unknown and spent 4 years working to get where he is today while Parise was highly touted and expected to do amazing things. I think that is a big reason why Junior won it - he went from a season of about 12 points his freshman year to leading the nation this year. He deserved it. Parise did too, but for different reasons. Either would have been an intelligent choice and both Junior and Parise are classy guys who represent the WCHA well. Besides, if you would have told Parise at the beginning of the year that he could either go to the WJC and be MVP on the gold medal team or win the Hobey Baker, we can all pretty much agree on which he would have chosen.

On a more positive note, at least students (who technically should be the brokest of the broke) get an incredible deal for season tickets. So not everything is about money for UND athletics, because if it were there would be no student season tickets available or they'd be a heck of a lot more expensive. Just thought something said that was positive was about due. Carry on!

Well said, NorthDakotaHockey, well said. October, here we come!!

They should add this to "The Man" section: "Vanek the Anti-Hobey." I don't dislike the guy, don't get me wrong. I just think he's the laziest, cheapest, dirtiest, did I mention laziest? player I've seen in awhile.

I heard it on XL93 this morning a few minutes after 8:00. Zach is supposedly suiting up with the team as early as tomorrow's game against the Rangers. I wish UND could have gone all the way before Zach moved on. Oh well, with how much he got beaten up, clutched, grabbed, choked, speared, tripped, etc. it is not surprising that he left before he got any serious injury that could hurt his NHL career. Good luck to him, but too bad we couldn't keep him around one more season. He's seriously the most fun, hard-working player I've had the privilege to watch in a long time.

Thanks, YaneA. Usually I'm more into generic signs rather than specific players...I get to use them more often that way! Assuming we beat the gophers Friday night, I could use some Duluth ammo as well - They'd be our most likely opponent Saturday night. Keep the sign ideas coming - we can think beyond the Final Five if we want to be that cocky. I think the "On a clear day you can see Boston from here" sign might resurface during the Final Five. What about "Hobey Parise" or something using UND in an acrostic? Or Sioux, for that matter...

Also, Final Five falls on the end of UND spring break. He probably thought it would be difficult to get people back to play for that. Besides, faced with a decision to go to the Final Five or the Frozen Four, 10 times out of 10 the band would pick the Frozen Four I would think. I mean, c'mon! Boston and a possible NC? Can't beat that!

I've got plenty of gopher ammo now...Any ideas for signs for other teams for the final five or our own team?

How about "Ellsworthless" Also, I know this is a bit premature, but I won't be near a computer much after tomorrow afternoon but wanted some suggestions for good final five signs. I'm bringing a stack of tagboard in case I get a flash of brilliance, but any thoughts on good ones? Any gopher-bashing signs are always welcome.

Panzer should have been the easy winner that year...until they gave it to Ryan Miller. Funny you mentioned them in the same sentence! Panzer got robbed!

I really don't think she was "almost" kicked out, but she for sure got a look from the cop standing in the penalty box. A slap on the wrist of sorts, maybe...I guess "almost kicked out" was a bit strong...sorry.