YaneA

The gray sections are sold out--what does the burgundy color mean? I'd imagine that the "student section" was pre-reserved for "visiting dignitaries" and tourney officials.

Al doesn't read this forum. If you want to approach him about a ticket swap, you should probably call him.

Note change to Al's phone number--I had his old office number in the unedited posting above. The number there now is his house.

Thanks everyone. I was patient and got my order processed about 1 hour ago. The World is Coming! And, I'll be there, too.

Al has been planning to take a bus to Madison but when I talked to him yesterday, before the game, he said the trip might get cancelled because of lack of people who wanted to go. He was supposed to call those of us signed up for the trip last night and let us know for sure whether the trip was still on or not. I didn't hear from him. I understood that he had the tickets to the games, too. His phone number is 701-775-6859.

Uh, it's 10:12 and I still can't connect to the online ticket ordering.

Thanks, soSIOUXme. Five more minutes.

Anyone else having trouble getting to the ticket link for World Juniors from www.theralph.com ?

If you at least dress the baby in Sioux green, I'll have less reason to fear for "the next generation."

By the way, does anybody know the rule on the sudden appearance of a "second puck" on the ice? What if it had wound up in our net, as seems to have been the intent of the evil-doer who tossed it?

dagies: I was sitting right across from Ranny and I could have sworn the extra puck came out of his equipment, too. I may have mis-seen what actually happened because when I noticed that puck, Ranny was playing it. But someone sitting behind me said they'd seen it lobbed from the stands on the other side. Consensus of the Sioux fans in abundance sitting around me: low-down, dirty rotten trick. Nothing the Mankato crowd did was going to surprise me after that little show of sportsmanship. The Mankato fans must have been taking notes on how to be obnoxious from the Gopher bunch.

Goon: I was pretty sure that's what you meant. I'm all for intensity in practice and, of course, intensity during the game. But any hint that the team is turning on each other doesn't sit well with me. Forecheck: I remember having a conversation with my Mom about the difference between boys and girls but I don't remember the particular distinction you cited coming up!

Goon-- How is it an encouraging sign that members of the Sioux hockey team want to fight EACH OTHER? Must be a "guy thing." Please explain.

I'll be there, as loud and supportive as ever. I thought the Sioux played some great hockey down in Mankato, especially in Saturday's third period. For some reason, the hockey gods just aren't smiling on us at the moment. Time to turn it around and get back on the winning track.

"Maybe we all should spam WDAZ and ask them to get the Wisconsin series on the Fighting Sioux Sports Network!" Oh, no, Sic, don't do that! Sweeney has said a bazillion times that WDAZ should not be getting inquiries about anything going out over Fighting Sioux SportsNetwork. Better to ask WDAZ to air the series themselves. I want to weigh in on the goalie question and back Ranny for another WCHA start. Since I couldn't see the Denver series, I'm totally reliant on Hennessey's commentary but Tim made it sound like Marc did a great job in net, though, obviously Dubie did a little bit better. My heart broke for the boys when that shot deflected off Schneider's glove and into the net with two seconds left in regulation. The night before, didn't another Denver shot glance off Andy's skate and also go in? Is Andy having a run of bad luck or is something wrong with his positioning? Mankato is turning into a juggernaut and to beat them, everyone has to do his job. We need scoring from the big guns, Parise and Bochenski, we need the defense to stand the Mavs up at the blueline and we need a goalie we can count on to stop the puck. I know that sounds simplistic but maybe the game isn't any more complicated than that. I'm going to the games down in Mankato and I'm looking for the Sioux to rebound from heartache, and show some heart. It's time to pull up your breezers and run the table, boys.

Thanks for the quick reply. Wonder what Jon told Chris about UND hockey fans?

I found myself wondering if the Chris Durno from Michigan Tech who got DQ'd last week against the Sioux is related to the Wookie from Canisius, Jon Durno? I see they're from the same town in Ontario. Anyone have the DNA test results?

I have no idea how Al manages to get tickets; he just does. He's been running these trips for 20+ years--that must give him some kind of pull. The seats he got us at St. Cloud were not bad--Massen popped in the OT goal right in front of me.

Al Pearson is putting together road trips for Mankato, Wisconsin and the Final Five. He'll handle tickets and hotels along with bus transportation from the Ralph. The Mankato details are set: leave 8 a.m., Fri., Feb 21 from the Ralph. Stay at Comfort Inn ($62/nite); Cost for bus & game tickets $100/person. Details on the other trips are pending. If you want to go to Mankato, call Al at 701-775-6859. He needs to know ASAP.

siouxgrad: I pick up unsold student tickets the day before a home series. If you get to the arena early enough, you can sit in the lower bowl (highly recommended). I'm usually the first in line and have always been able to score these tickets. If you are interested in this route, e-mail me at : yaneusa@netscape.net

1. Gophers (hate 'em so much I wouldn't cheer for them if they were playing Al Qaeda!) 2. St. Cloud (their fans get on my nerves; besides if the league says we are "natural rivals," who are we to argue?) 3. Mankato (also think they are emerging as a spoiler) 4. Wisconsin (the 80s were forever ago but we still don't need no stinkin' Badgers) 5. Duluth (Sandy, come home! All is forgiven)

Even Sioux fans on Shane Kvalevog's old message board were not allowed to criticize Philion. I said once that he seemed to have trouble staying on his skates and some guy from Minot lit into me.

Glad to hear Q is back in the Zach Attack. I thought the three of them had great chemistry very early in the season but then Blais pulled Fylling off that line. What do you think-- Brandt plays tonight and, if we win and UAA doesn't look all that strong, Ranny gets the start tomorrow?

As long as we're kicking Ed... Who knows the details of the hunting dog story? Did he shoot the dog on purpose or was it an accident?

Jim: Are those the odds of making the Frozen Four or of winning it?