sprig

Not that big yet either. Anyway, if they put giant shin pads on and block shots they'll do.

If those two can play the stay at home defense like their dad, we want 'em both.

Was gone so didn't see this, but I'd have never made it all the way to the cities this weekend anyway. Thanks though, and have fun.

I'd have to agree. Learned to hate the Gophs years ago and can't turn it around. They were always in the NCAA's when I was around GF and always lost (hence the "choker" collar); never could hold up the honor of the WCHA. Finally got used to it, and, in fact, kind of enjoyed it. I have to be for the winner of the afternoon game, preferably Maine.

Sounds like fun; applied with a college roommate who lives in Roseville and works for NWA. No luck in the draw, however. Hope to get into REA when a regional comes there. Hands off the staff

How did you all get tickets? Were you successful in the original drawing? No pref points for me, I've only been to one FF, in 1983, so I was turned down.

The latest link to an article (on USCHO) has him going to the Thrashers, although there were lots of rumours about the Wild.

I'd picked UNH also, but Michigan looked really good. Good size, they play really physical and take away open ice, the very thing the Gophs have not dealt well with this year. Plus, Mich has speed and talent up front. They looked much better last weekend that in any of the games I saw them in on Fox Detroit this season. Sure don't want Mich to get #10 but I think they they have a good shot at it.

When interviewed at the all star game, Vanek sounded a bit iffy about what he'd do if offered lots of bucks. Believe he said he's probably end up at MN next year but I wouldn't be suprised if he takes a big bucks offer and skips college.

SC mascot and cheerleaders apparently put on quite a show before the loss to Mich. Is it something in the water?

Nope, unfortunately not. Wasn't lucky enough to draw ff tickets either with no pref points. Only ff I've been to was in 83. Hope to get into REA for the 06? regional. Saw the hit on Ballard on the tube; even FOXN showed it more than once. Wooger would have had to give it the hit of the game had they awarded one.

Crap, leave for a couple days and this happens (what did happen, who did Bayda sign with?). Another leader gone. Do we have someone to pick up the leadership role.

I agree, Scott, Ballard needs to be straightened out. Loved the very legal hit the Denver Dman (McKenzie???) put on him in the championship game. He popped right up but I'll bet his backside is still sore this week.

Dub was great, and Hauser was not good. He struggled with the first shot from center ice, then went downhill. Goph looked good enough to have a chance to win with Hauser, but not if they meet another team with goal tending and D like Denver. Then again, probably not against a team with offense like UNH either, as Hauser will probably let in 6+. Hoping for Denver to get three more wins and win it for the WCHA; would prefer CC to do it, but doesn't look like they are playing well enough to get it done. Think Hauser will lose it against a team like UNH or Maine. Gophs ought to get by a CCHA team if they face them. Good to see Hauser finally get penalties for his slashing and spearing. He nearly fell on his face several times trying to stick someone skating in front of his crease. As good as the Goph are, don't see how they can win without better goal tending. Wendel did a good Dub takeout without being pushed in; can't believe Goddard missed that; man in the crease plus goalie interference. Not sure what the reviewers were looking at. Don't understand the explanation that he got out before the puck went in; in the crease should be whistled immediately, regardless of whether there is a shot or not. Still there is the goalie interference. The USCHO recap of the game questions both goph goals, as the crease was marked NHL style, although Sheppard said the calls would be made as the crease was drawn. Nice goph dives also, but there was only one I thought Denver didn't deserve after watching the replay. On the other hand, can't understand why the gophs get by with stuff while opponents do not. (waiting patiently for the standard "lots of stuff got missed both ways" post, yeah, right) Gophs were given every advantage to win this game, but didn't. Denver is clearly the better team with their goalie and D. SCSU, wouldn't count on them winning a game again this year. Looks like they peaked long ago. After a long run of getting brothers to play for the Sioux, how did we not get Bull number 2? One more item, for all you shoppers. Scheel's in Minot was selling Sioux stuff at big reductions. $100 jerseys for $40, as well as many other big reducts. Maybe they're doing the same in GF.

FOX had prior committments to NASCAR, hence the CC/DU game was preempted. And they don't/didn't have to worry about getting caught with Minnie in that position because as long as the Five is at the X, Minnie gets night games, no matter what. That is also why CC was stuck playing two games in a row in the tourney, little more than 12 hours apart.

Major screw job. You deserve to be on it, Skarp.

Don't want to wait that long for 8. In three years we could have 10:}

Team was so close to being good this year; get rid of the third period swoons, and we'd be up there having a chance at the NCAA's. A good center iceman (or two) that can carry the puck and dish it off to scoring wings would really add a lot to this team. Panzer was that man last year, and Panzer and Ulmer the year before. Hopefully Parise is one of those centers. If he becomes that player, Speedwack and Notermann can continue to excel as defensive forwards, without having to expect major point production. Dmen look to be good; if they can continue to play the already good stay at home d some of them have shown and improve the outlet passes, this team can be good without a Roche type player.

Agreed on Commie. Although he could drive you nuts sometimes taking penalties, there just wasn't cheap after the whistle stuff going on when he was on the ice. And when it came to crunch time in the playoffs, he was super tough defensively, knocked opponents cleanly on their butts, and stayed out of the PB. There were more than a few opponents this year that needed to know what they were up against if they committed after the whistle cheap crap against the Sioux (Murray and Taffe comes to mind). Really hate the way weanies hide behind the rules. Would have to think that a Demarchi/Commie match up would have occured this year, if both had a DQ to give. The pic in the Sioux book is a classic, two off-ice BC'ers looking up at Commie through the glass when the Sioux are practicing before the FF in 2000. Archie??? wonder if he's reached a state of partial sanity yet?

Dagies, You are right, he gets caught poke checking with his weight a bit to far forward and gets burned on occasion. Happened a few time this weekend. In the Sat. Denver game I went to the first and only Denver goal was a result of a Jonesey lunge poke-check that led to a 2 on 1. He does have a lot of defensive talent, however, and I think we'll see less of that in the coming years.

Taunting is pretty much a victimless crime. Don't know that I'd rather die than cheer for the gophs, but I'd take a chance at getting real sick. You'll just have to live with the fact that the gophs are not second in line for very many Sioux fans, least not from my era. Was always a Wisco fan second, but that was when the Sioux could equal wisco's thugery, and it wasn't against the rules (such as the teams of the early 80's). Now, every team has those that take advantage of the rules' protection, and even the wussiest can pull crap without retaliation. So much for the kinder, gentler version on NCAA hockey.

the cream of the gopher crop has arrived. way to go handy. no matter what the gophs do, happy is and will remain, a loser, bar none.