Snake

So I guess in the name of "free speech" we should just throw our morals out the window? "Freedom of Speech" was designed to give us the right to speak out about our government without fear of prosecution; it wasn't intended to give people with limited vocabularies and imaginations the right to use their cuss words in public places! It's a pretty simple solution - get more creative!

The effort that's currenly paying off is the poor showings this team gave earlier in the season. If they had stepped up and won a couple of the games where we were critical of their effort we likely wouldn't be so concerned right now. Unfortunately the "learning curve" is teaching them the hard lesson that you can't just turn on the switch and make a run. They'll be better for it next year. As for this season, all of what you list is possible, but from what I've seen improbable. I hope they can get it done, but the evidence points to the contrary.

I think you're right on about the team play. I didn't mean to single-out Stafford, I was merely using his comments to set up the context of my overall thoughts. Listening to Sioux players and media types make comments about the other team being "less skilled" makes me cringe because I feel it is extremely disrespectful. No wonder everyone comes in here trying to stick it to us! Hard work and, as #1 Sioux Fan has stated, teamwork is the great equalizer. Skill will separate two teams when everything else is equal. To add to #1 Sioux Fan's point - this team will be extremely exciting when they're forcing the opponent to "pick their poison!"

I only saw Friday's game, and I would agree Stafford's effort was there. The intent of my post was to shed light on the fact that even though the Sioux (and others who follow them) think they have more skill than their opponents, it's hard work that turns skillful teams into successful ones. Stafford just happened to be the most recent player or broadcaster to mention this supposed "skill advantage," so he was unfortunately singled-out in my post, even after a great game. Goon made mention of this team's accomplishments, and how the opposing teams aren't going to be impressed by them. The list of INDIVIDUAL accomplishments may be impressive, but this TEAM of mostly freshmen and sophomores only has a 5th place WCHA finish, a 3rd place Final-Five finish, and an unlikely run to the title game to their credit - mainly due to the large senior class last year. Right now they're looking at the same WCHA spot and who knows what's in store for the playoffs. On the bright side (not to sound like Mr. Negativity) the coaching staff is determined to get all they can out of these guys. I've been impressed by how they've handled the ups-and-downs that come with such a young team. It's difficult, but I try to keep in perspective that these guys are just kids, and they've got a lot going on in their lives outside of hockey. Hopefully the second-half will bring more stability for the young players.

Drew Stafford, in his post-game comments yesterday, made a comment to the effect that despite the lack of skill of the Harvard D, they were able to hang with the Sioux because they worked extremely hard. That particular type of comment disturbs me, and unfortunately it's not the only time I've heard these types of statements. Tim Hennessey frequently makes comments - sometimes to the opposing coaches themselves - that the other team isn't as skilled as the Sioux and that they need to make up for it in other ways. The fact that Stafford & others make comments about the other team's skill level (or lack thereof) makes me wonder if the players believe the hype. Granted, UND is a perrenial power and the talent level of the recruits we get is top-notch, but it seems as though there's a certain arrogance that suggests they just have to show up and their "skills and talent" will get them through. This may work at the Bantam or HS level, but not at the D-I college level. To be a top-notch team at this level, you need to apply your talent, not just stockpile it. I'm curious to hear your guys' thoughts on this, and if anyone else out there notices this. Thanks -

It's sad when you have to depend on Freshmen for "energy." Toews and Oshie are goal-scorers, and they work like they're goal scorers. Energy should come from guys that don't get to play too often, or upper-classmen whose hockey playing days are dwindling. There were plenty of those types in the lineup last night. This loss hurts a lot when you consider that they're positioned for a 5th place finish in the WCHA and at the mercy of the PWR when it comes time for tournament selection.

I think the game starts at 7:35

The drive back to GF right after that game was the most brutal I've ever taken - nine hours to think about our season being over.

It's a pretty nice place, plus, since their show is from 9AM - NOON it's a good place to get BREAKFAST!

I think you're suggestion is interesting, and I definitely agree with your assessment of the checking from behind calls; but if most of the punishment is dealt specifically to the player, what's to prevent a coach from sending out a goon to run an opposing player intentionally? The player who commits the act would get punished with little detriment to the team. Granted, the referees can't police everything, but if they had to make a call about protecting the Win-Loss record of the team or the safety of the players involved, I'd hope they'd choose the latter. If the officials in the WCHA are more interested in protecting the Win-Loss records of the teams, then an overhaul is definitely needed.

We shouldn't have to take the refs off the hook when they're not the ones COMMITTING the infractions. I think a player would be more apt to learn his lesson if he cost his team a win and he had to deal with his teammates and coaches.

Just a simple question: Can there even be player signings if there's no Collective Bargaining Agreement? What "rules" would exist for any contract signing?

I believe they will honor their commitment to USA Hockey and play for the WJC team. Also, they'll need as many games as they can get to develop some team chemistry.

Have any of you seen how they do the Canadian National Anthem at GM Place in Vancouver? It's strong and the crowd is completely involved because the singer allows them to sing the middle verse alone. It's pretty awesome.

David Tanabe? Chuck Kobasew?

There should be plenty of activity at Tom Reid's or McGovern's. They're a block or two down from the X.

I find it funny that Dippin-Dots has been the "Ice Cream of the Future" for about 10 years now!

I think the great atmosphere we all know and love at the old Ralph (at least in it's last 5 years or so) can be attributed to the "re-birth" of the program under Dean Blais. I think this is what most fans choose to remember about the old Ralph. It wasn't always that way, as I remember attending lots of games in Gino's last few years that didn't have much but a bunch of green and white seats staring at me from across the rink.

I agree completely, Riverman. I sent an e-mail to the Ralph asking them to please put out-of-town scores on the fascia ring instead of "advertising" for the next game, which by the way, season ticket holders know is going to happen. The response from the Ralph was "thank you, we're working toward a solution." Obviously the solution is to have Hennen talk more. Maybe more people would look at the scoreboard if they actually had a reason to a la out-of-town scores.

Thanks for the info, Lawkota. I was at the UND Bookstore last weekend and saw that they have dazzle cloth home jerseys, I think made by Koronis Sports Apparel. The only downer is that the lettering is green as well.

I wish I could find an authentic, too, but I'd buy a replica if they would make them right. I haven't yet seen a home "replica" jersey that has the correct color of lettering for the word SIOUX spelled on the front. The "replica" jerseys made by Nike have it in green, when the authentics are in Black. Has anyone seen a newer replica jersey with black lettering on the front?

A split would be fine with me, but... The Sioux need to take care of business themselves, so that's who I'm rooting for this weekend!

Is the NHL using the two referee system full-time? I ask this because I am reading a lot from people that say the NHL has improved it's officiating in the past couple of years and I wonder if this could be part of the reason. I know Hockey East experimented with two referees a year or two back, but I haven't heard what their results were (maybe it's still in progress). Using the two referee system in the WCHA would help to alleviate any problems refs would have in keeping up with the play, but could you imagine having Mason and Adam doing the same game!?! Yikes!!!

I'm not sure the trap is going to limit shots specifically, but it will definitely limit the number of quality shots and second opportunities off rebounds. I would think scoring chances would be a better indicator of dominance when looking at teams that play a defensive style. In my opinion, better goaltending and a focus on defense overall has allowed "inferior" teams to keep scores close.