sprig

A poster on USCHO lists an article for the Xerox College Hockey Showcase in Buffalo, NY, on Oct 11 and 12, involving the Sioux, Michigan, Niagara, and Canisius. Thought this was a tourney, same teams on the same dates at the REA. What am I missing? Same teams, different years? Confused??

I agree. None of the Sioux defensemen from Gino's great teams played like a Ballard or Roche. They rarely, however, gave opponents anything in the Sioux end; super defensively. The Sioux of that era could win low scoring games, in fact, they did win most that way, since they did not give the opponent many chances to score. The upcoming crop of large defensemen, if they play that same game, can be very successful with the current talent at forward. I, for one, am not a fan of Ballard (not surprising, since he's a Goph). He's often out of position, but even when he back defending, I've seen him burned badly often, including in the championship game. I think he has defensive problems that go beyond just being out of position rushing the puck.

With SSM's Smaby (projected as a possible first round pick, the top-rated high school-age defenseman in MN) now verbally committed to the Sioux for 2003-4, the roster of large defensemen is even more filled. If nothing else, nice to win a recruiting battle against Minnie (and others) for another top rated MN kid. Scott's link to the Hurl article posted on the USCHO board: http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforkshe...rts/3745893.htm "Ward (SSM coach) said that Smaby, a left-handed shot, is a big, strong, strapping player who'll get bigger as well as better." Ouch, more black and blue coming to those who venture in front of the Sioux net. Have a feeling by 2003-4 we'll see less "punch after the whistle taffe's", or the like. Enough big d-men that one suspension for each may be possible (as long as they do it one at a time). As hopeful as I am about the upcoming season, would almost like to move on to 2003-4 now. (Still want to see Spiewak and Notermann lead the Sioux to the FF this year, though). THe DL kid better be the next coming of Patrick, Murphy, or Roche, if he's going to break into this lineup.

Stories are linked at the hockey page on the siouxsports site: http://www.siouxsports.com/hockey.htm

Can't argue with that, Scott. Appears it will be a tough defenseman lineup to crack. Hope so at least.

That would make you explode for sure

Don't want to write anyone off, even though he's not on the USCHO radar. Reminded of walk-on Scott Dub (from Grafton?), who didn't have big skills, but worked his tail off, made everyone else work harder in practice, and with his effort made a good team better (early 80's under Gino, I think).

One thing for sure, when you try to figure out which forwards to leave off the 4 line list, it's apparent that there will be major competition for ice time. Should be a good thing. Not much taking a night off when you get the chance to play.

Would be a blast getting into that series. Would guess tickets will be hard to come by.

If he has any college intentions, should be a mad scramble when the time comes. Can be sure he'll show up in a BC line by a USCHO poster. I'd expect him to go straight to a pro team (or a stop in major junior when he's old enough), if his development continues at the present rate.

Isn't SL from Fagrow? Would explain the cluelessness when it comes to hockey.

The Devils have signed dmen Alex Brooks (formerly Wisco, played in Finland last year), Ray Giroux (Providence, bounced around, a few games annually in NHL), and CC's Chris Hartsburg.

And Lou Nanne couldn't say it during the FF broadcast. To add to the problem he played on a line with Grant Paranica, I believe. Nanne still doesn't have all the knots out of his tongue

After four straight successfull years, it was hard not to have high expectations, in spite of the large freshmen class. Then, when the team sweeps CC, the team picked to win the WCHA, the first weekend of the season in the REA (seemed like a home ice advantage then), seemed the Sioux were ready to go all the way again. The inability to put away teams in the third period made the difference between a top 4 finish and the year it turned out to be. It was obvious fans of other teams had similar feelings about the Sioux. For instance, both UAA and Mankato fans developed very high expectations after beating the Sioux in the REA. In fact, in reading uscho posts, seemed that beating the Sioux was the biggest event for all teams during the season, not suprising after the previous four years. Hope payback comes soon, would be hard to take another season like the last. The road trip after Christmas, which doesn't appear to end for the remainder of the season, will be tough. Need lots of W's before that starts.

Not the first time I missed by a couple years. Just another CA team (maybe commie can protect someone in San Jose at the same time as in Anaheim). What's hockey doing in CA anyway???

Agree this will likely give Commie a much better chance at ice time. The Ducks are a bit short in the big, tough, DMan area, while NJ had lots of depth there. Maybe he'll get to protect Kariya and Selanne. Add Sykora to a team with a good bit of offensive talent (although they gave up Friesen), and the Ducks may be up near the top soon.

Nice to retire after winning the Cup.

Was rumoured during the Stanley Cup Playoffs that Toronto would be after Belfour since Cujo would be gone, although they had Cujo going back to the Blues. Did the Wings really sign him; assuming Hasek stays, that's two expensive tenders, neither of which will expect to sit.

Had no idea Roche was a partier when he sat out a year at GF. But didn't he sit out due to playing in major junior, rather than because of academics as the paper states?

Would guess he's in a tutoring program to complete whatever he didn't get done the last semester. Wonder how Lucia will handle this, although it's only USCHO gopher fan posters who have said that Lucia would not give Welch another chance if he didn't do the work.

Hope he sticks with the Wild soon. Would sure like to watch him play on FOXN. Beats the Gophers, unless they are playing the Sioux, of course.