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Terrific news! Who can we thank at Midcontinent for making this happen?

Yes, that's the Fighting Sioux Sports Network. I didn't hear the announcement myself so I don't know if the broadcast tonight is statewide or not. But, I'm pumped to get to see the game live, with the sound turned down, of course, and Hennessey doing play-by-play on the radio.

I just heard, second-hand, that channel 23 in Grand Forks has made a deal to broadcast tonight's game live at 7:05.

In my wishful, blissful little world where the Sioux get every bounce...... 1. UND 48 2. CC 39 3. UMN 34 4. SCSU 32 5. Mankato 28 Denver 28 7. UMD 27 8. UW 16 9. MTech 14 AA 14 Aw, c'mon! SOMEBODY'S gotta put the positive energy out there.

Forecheck-- Did you really write: "As for Woog, I actually enjoy listening to him. I'd rather listen to his commentary of a Sioux/Gopher game than Sweeney and Bredahl." Now, I know the California sun has baked your brain, girl. Woog, ugh!

Dynamic generation, sure, Jim. But can this thing core an apple and leave the peel in one ribbon?

They'll take your balls! LOL Pat, you slay me!

lawkota-- If, as you predict, increased sales at Ralph's pro shop is the outcome of B&N's short-sighted knee-jerk reaction to the tiniest bit of pressure from UND faculty, then only Barnes and Noble will be hurt by its decision. I just had to register my displeasure with our "campus" bookstore failing to support our school. Their decision sends a message that there's something unsavory about Sioux merchandise and that it has to be sold from under-the-counter. Such a notion flies in the face of everything those of us who support the Sioux nickname and logo are fighting for.

I don't have the link but the GF Herald is reporting today that the campus Barnes and Noble Store here at UND has caved to pressure from 50 UND faculty members who signed a petition and will stop selling shot glasses emblazoned with the Sioux logo as well as play-down the display of all other logo merchandise. Can you imagine a campus bookstore anywhere else that can get away with not promoting the sale of sportswear and novelties featuring the official school nickname and logo? Apparently, the contract UND negotiated with B&N which gave them the cushy location, location, location on campus right next to the Ralph and who knows what other incentives also gave B&N the right to sell or not sell official merchandise as the whim strikes B&N. If you want to comment to the corporate suits about their policy decision, you can call or e-mail: Carolyn Brown, Director of Corporate Communications at 212-633-4062 or cbrown@bn.com

What channel is FoxNorth on Grand Forks Midcontinent Cable? I want to make sure to set the VCR.

Thanks, Taz. I'm listening to the last six minutes of this one-goal game. C'mon, USA!

Thanks for posting the updates, sprig. I'm interested in how the Sioux boys are doing at the tourney but the "listen live" site doesn't support my lowly Mac so thanks for being my ears.

Sprig-- So that was two goals for Parise against Belarus? Great for him and the U.S. team. But, I still wish he and the two welcoming Matts were gonna be back for the CC series!

I don't think we can count on many students in the stands. Even stalwarts like this board's own Forecheck will be MIA. The athletic department has already released student tickets for sale to the general public--they don't usually do that until the Thursday morning before a home series. We definitely need the goaltending to survive against CC. Bochenski is seeing the net so well right now, I don't think we have to worry about offensive production even with Parise absent. Our defense will have some holes in it, as it clearly did in the Subway tourney. I don't think Bemidji would have dared to deliver those early big hits if Mean Matt Greene were on the ice. I'm sure Blais is whipping the team into shape. They have to know how huge this series is and I believe they will play up to their competition. Unfortunately, it doesn't get any easier after this weekend.

I thought this was not bad for an inaugural edition of a holiday tournament. Next year, I'm sure they'll plan early enough so that we can get some better known teams in. Looks like they passed out decent hardware, too . I think, though, since Subway's the sponsor, the award for Tournament MVP, won this year by Bochenski, ought to be called "The HOAGIE Baker."

The New Ralph Engelstad Arena: the gift that keeps on giving. The World Juniors will be a perfect showcase for the arena and the town. I like the fact that other nearby venues will also be included in tournament events--the Ralph in TRF and the Alerus here in Grand Forks.

We can't win with Gopher fans. Everything about UND sucks or is second-rate, in their world. I got a chuckle out of the poster who suggested that Virg Foss is a Blais sycophant and unable to write objectively. Unlike the Homer Media of the Midwest in the Twin Cities, I presume? When the pot calls the kettle black, ya gotta laugh.

Oh, I get it, SDSU Fan. Your postings are dripping with sarcasm; otherwise, why would you refer to North Dakotans as thicked headed Norskies and Polacks? By the way, we do have a Native American hockey player on the team--Marc Ranfranz, goalie. He got his first start this past weekend and shut out Canisius, 6-0. He's a stong supporter of the nickname and logo, FYI.

What have they finally decided to call our Christmas tournament? One page on the Ralph site calls it "Imperial Ice Classic." A pocket schedule I have calls it "Subway Holiday Classic." Was there a bidding war for naming rights? Who won?

Boy, the negativity espoused by JBB! Wanless sought out Lennon, apparently believing him "good enough." Lennon withdrew himself from consideration, apparently believing the job at Sac State wasn't "good enough" to leave home for. Spin that.

mksioux: This is the first time in my history with Al that we've planned on going to Madison. I believe the tickets he gets will be some of the ones Wisconsin alots UND as the away team, which I'm guessing are seats in the designated visitors' section.

Al also has plans to take a bus on that long and winding road to Madison later this season. He's supposed to send details for both Mankato and Madison to us regulars but since the games are still months away we haven't heard from him yet. He arranges everything--transportation, hotel, tickets. Never any worries with Al in charge. I'll post info here when I get it from Al.

Thanks for the info, Forecheck. My friends drive up from the Cities and repay my ticket-securing efforts with a free meal for me at Red Lobster. Since I work until 4:30, I'd have to give up my steak dinner in order for them to get to the Arena by 5:30 on Friday. They go to Fargo overnight but I guesss we could arrange to have Saturday's dinner at 4 p.m. like the other blue-haired ladies do except that I usually go to the women's games as well and can't get to the restaurant before 4:45. Hey, it just occurred to me that I could prevail on you to save seats for MY friends, eh? Yep, why solve the problem when you can become part of it? I saw you, across the Arena, with your Finger sign but couldn't make out what it said. Enlighten me, please.

The T-shirt giveaway was chaotic. Don't know why it was set up like that. Didn't have trouble getting to the table but had a difficult time backing out of the crowd. I'm even shorter than Forecheck so, when I turned around with my shirt in my hand, I ran smack into a wall of other people's chests. I guess there would have been a horrible bottleneck into the lobby if the ticket scanners were passing out the shirts. Forecheck, by the way, what time does the student section fill up? I buy unsold student tickets for friends who get to the arena at 6:15 or so but still have to go to the upper bowl to find a seat. Too many students spreading their coats over empty chairs for their later-arriving friends. Not a big fan of saving seats; haven't been since junior high fourth period lunch. Can you do anything about that little problem?

I didn't see what Canady did but I did see a Husky player butt end a Sioux player after the game. Couldn't sort out who was who because both teams were congregating there by the Sioux bench. Then, I saw Blais grab and shove Prpich into the handshake line--something I've never seen before. Don't know what Mike did to prompt such a response from Blais. Any one know?