sprig

N/A

Remember that fight, and game, since it's the only one I was at that year. Mankato, right? Played a exceptionally cheap game and ref didn't let them get away with it. 4 Sioux 5 on 3's, 3 of which the Sioux scored on (Roche to Panzer I believe) and the 4th finished the game. Something went on pre game that ticked off Blais and the Sioux, and he turned 'em loose. Believe the entire line of fire was in a big scrum at one point. Ready for those days again. O'Leary wouldn't hurt the work ethic of the team a bit.

Funny you should mention Anderson Accounting. I was thinking the same thing, or maybe these two bison are former CFO's of Enron and WorldCom. Interesting spin on numbers. If you're selling I'm not buying.

It's never good to lose a player you want to keep. No doubt Blais wanted him to stay and put in the work necessary to warrant increased ice time. But given the ultimatum, "Play me more or I'm leaving", without proving yourself, I'd say it's best for the team that he leaves. Too bad, however, that this didn't take place much earlier, rather than at this late a date.

Certainly small wingers have been effective forecheckers; it's just a matter of work ethic and attitude. But from a fan's perspective, it feels better seeing a wing the likes of Matt Henderson or someone of similar build smacking the likes of DeMarchi And we can't wait for the Gophs to develop the next cherry picker.

"More weight, less body fat." Interesting in light of the Fournier debacle. You may be right, Sic. Appears that there could be a lot of depth at center. Some of them will be playing wing, no doubt. So what's the general feeling, will Blais use the Fournier money to recruit another forward for this year, or will it be divided among those with less than a full ride, currently. Or don't any of those exist.

It may be the body fat/in shape thing had nothing to do with it. Appears in Fournier's interview that he wanted more playing time, and Blais wouldn't guarantee it, so he left. I'd bet noone has been guaranteed ice time by Blais. Players will get what they earn, on and off the ice. As a fan I wouldn't want anything less. No doubt Blais isn't real happy with the decision this late. Might have used that scholarship money for another recruit.

It is odd that he worked out all summer yet comes in with near 20 body fat. Not sure how many athletes can carry that much and perform but I do know 20% on me ain't purty. Would appear that (from a link posted by Hammy, interview with Fournier) Chris was unhappy with his ice time and wasn't offered too much hope for an immediate gain in ice time by Blais. Is that the same link PCM has above (think so). Not sure what he expected, but as we all know Blais demands dedication and hard work, and lots more players than Fournier have sat when lack of effort is perceived. Seems that he was having a hard time going from team star, leading scorer at Lincoln, to limited ice time for the Sioux. I don't believe he can expect to get much better than that anywhere in D1, without some commitment on his part. Looks like he's deciding between UAA and another year in juniors this year. Would expect he'll be back at Lincoln since he'd have to sit out the year at UAA.

I'd agree. Notermann and Spiewak should be a good example of senior leadership by effort, game after game. The youngsters better not take a game (or even a shift) off this year. And please, no more backing in for entire third periods. What DI team can't score when you give them all of neutral ice, plus the blue line, plus half the defensive zone (Sioux's). Nice place to shoot from with a built-in screen in front of the net. No wonder there were so many rebounds. Goalies couldn't see the puck. Think we've doubted the goalie's too much. I believe Siembida and Brandt will be very good if the Sioux defense tightens up in the neutral zone (third period) and defends at the blue line, at worst.

Good luck to Dan in his fight against lymphoma. Hope to see him back for the season after beating it.

This is a shocker. See many had him penciled in (in the line combo thread) as centering one of the top 3 lines. Hope he gets it together; would expect to see him show up somewhere in D1 hockey if not with the Sioux.

Yes he did, on the gamewinner. The rebound of his shot was put in by Ulmer. I remember it much more clearly than anything that happened last year

Wouldn't bother me if the Sioux found one or two more Canadians for the future.

Believe the Panther fan described Prpich as a scrapper, who got into it when necessary to fire up the team. Kind of an Archie sized guy, not that we need another Archie. Don't think a crazy like that would make it by today's NCAA rules.

It's odd how teams/players need to worry about the penalty box and the suspensions that occur if they fight. Huge change since the college game in the early 80's and before. Taffe's after the whistle stuff (as well as Orpik's and Gionta's in the championship two years ago) would never have lasted then. It's also odd with the absence of fighting that so much cheap crap is allowed, and only retaliation brings penalties. Commie took care of business on that end, but had to tread lightly after a 1, then 3 game supension. One more would have been the season. In spite of that, the pinstripes had their eye on him and he did not, after his fighting suspensions, get away with the physical stuff in front of the net that others that hadn't had fighting majors got away with. As a result, lots of minors for Commie that he may not have had without the majors. Got to be hard to play that way. Much as I'd like to see a Sioux take care of someone throwing the cheap stuff (Taffe, Demarchi), it has the possibility of hurting the team in the long run (in addition to the suspensions). But, I'll still be happy if someone takes it on himself (Prpich?) to straighten someone out. Just don't do it against teams like Canisius and Manitoba. No use wasting one there. Which brings up one more schedule complaint. Teams like Manitoba can come in a goon it up with no future suspensions or penalties, while the Sioux players who take it upon themselves to straighten out the goon (like Schneider last year) get suspended for a game.

No doubt it will be easy to look by someone in this before-Christmas schedule. It doesn't look to strong. With scuzzie-u in the schedule twice in that time, may be looking past some of these others, which could easily result in a loss that shouldn't happen. Much better to play SCZU in the post season, where you can't tell them from Can-ishy-us

After looking at all the poster's combos, seems that the Sioux will be very good this year. Won't try combos myself, but I think we'll see Genoway center one of the top three lines, if not right away, then later in the season. How 'bout a Canadian Connection, Prpich-Genoway-McMahon.

Wow, After last year's large (and good) freshman class, this year's smaller group seems to be an even better bunch. I'd think these freshmen will make a big impact on this year's team, if not right away, at least at sometime into the season. Nice look at the new frosh, Glenn. Also interesting write-up on goal tender Brandt (-the SCSU game).

Couple more: http://www.fightingsioux.com http://wcha.ocsn.com For streaming audio of Sioux games (unless it will change this season?): mms://sioux.gfwireless.com/gfwireless For satellite TV coverage coordinates (if you have a dish): http://www.ralphengelstadarena.com/satellite.html

I wonder about the Hurl also. There have been links posted here to Sioux hockey articles on the Herald site, but I can never find them. Sports-hockey only gets NHL stuff. Where are you finding Sioux hockey links in the Herald??

I agree, a really big team. Can't wait 'till the ponds freeze over (after ducktober, of course).

The Sioux's roster is more than full for the next couple years. Don't believe I'd trade the current recruits for these two (Irmen and Potulny), but I don't know much about them. For those that have seen them, what Sioux recruits would you turn down to make room for these two?

I believe you're right, ND kids grow up wanting to play for the Sioux, and if they are good enough, generally will. Saw another post some time ago (I know nothing about this) that the Potulny boy's father, demanded that the Sioux take both kids (when the younger one was obviously very young), and Blais turned down the "offer". Again, I have no knowledge of this, but would not be surprised that Jay "Superstar" Potulny would make the demands. I think the Sioux will get by without these two, and will still have success with ND kids, if and when they want them.

Thanks dagies. That's what I couldn't find. Also confused it with the home tourney over Christmas. So many top flight teams, easy to mix them up