Siouxdonyms

Can't seem to get anything going here on the PP. Even giving up shorthanded opportunities.

Penalty coming on AA.

Down 2-0. Feel like I'm still listening to Team USA play. Let's go Sioux!

AA scores again. 2-0.

Sioux full strength.

Under a minute on the penalty.

Bench is shorter already, and we have tired players!!!

Watkins gone with a check from behind.

I don't ever recall it being as bad as it is this year. Granted, in past years, I've always been at the games in GF, but I don't recall road games being this bad.

Toews is in the lineup tonight.

Wonderful audio we have tonight. Clear Channel Radio my A#!

Practicing in live game mode I guess. Had to run Parise to get him ready for the actual games.

He did try one of his "patented" moves against a Niagara defenseman, and to no surprised, failed.

Go figure, Kessel drops a pass for Wheeler who puts it by the Niagara goalie for the 1st goal of the game. Sure, they were saving their best hockey for when they got back to MN!

Gophers playing powerhouse Niagara tonight Kessel and Wheeler both in the lineup. Arrived in MSP today about noon, supposedly rested up this afternoon, and are in the lineup for tonight. See if Kessel performs better tonight than he did in the WJC. Niagara coming off an upset of New Hampshire. Let's hope for a win for the Purple Dudes!

There is no way these 4 are sitting out next weekend. It's too big of a series for them to do that. I think Hak would have a better chance of sitting them this weekend, than next weekend (with player input that is). Yes, next weekends task is much more difficult than this weekends, but I don't think you can approach it as, 'We need points and we're more likely to get them against AA than MN.' Oshie was definitely the difference maker in the Saturday night Harvard game, and sitting him at all right now is a very tough decision, as he's probably the hottest Sioux on the ice. I too worry about burnout, and I would personally like to see them play minimal if at all this weekend. I'd say, start them, and play them minimal if we amass a big enough lead. They are all deserving of a break, however, because of the quality of play they bring to the rink each night, they most likely won't receive the break they deserve.

I think the tournament really wore out Parise and Murray during their years in WJC, which had a direct correlation to their performance in the WCHA following the tournament. IMO, Parise was pretty tired after the 2003 WJC, and Murray after the 2004 WJC. I don't think it affected Stafford as much in 2004, as he didn't get the same amount of ice time until the gold medal game. Regardless of what we want to say, these guys are going to want to play in both games. They're hockey players and it's what they live for. The only one stopping them would be Hak, insisting/telling them that they rest for a game or two. Unless that were to happen, expect all 4 to play tonight and tomorrow night.

Wheeler played, but didn't get near the ice time that Kessel was given. Unfortunately, Oshie, Lee, and Chorney all had pretty close to the same amount of ice time as Kessel for the majority of the tournament, and Oshie probably worked harder than any other player on Team USA every single shift.

This is a public forum buddy. No need to use this type of slander. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you can't handle other people's posts, without going off the deep end, perhaps you shouldn't be posting.

3rd periods killed us in this tournament. I don't know what it was, but I don't know if we really had one good 3rd period throughout this tournament. It's frustrating, but we'll have to deal with it and move on. Let's hope for better luck next year!

Finland scores to take a 3-2 lead.

Jack Johnson scores to tie it 2-2. Canadians have to love that one!

End of the 2nd period. 2-1 Finland. US needs to start the 3rd out with fire, and play better than they've played in any other 3rd period in this tournament.

Finlands scores again to take a 2-1 lead. Let's go USA!

Finland scores on the PP. 1-1.