killer4president

Matt Greene's So. season: GP-40 G-1 A-16 P-17 PIM-86 6'3 224lbs. Drafted in 2nd round(2002, 44th overall) Matt DeMarchi's So. season: GP-39 G-4 A-9 P-13 PIM-139 6'3 192lbs Drafted in 2nd round(2000, 57th overall) DeMarchi had a little more minutes in the box, but both are known for more of a physical pressence than getting points. That's why I compare the two. As for me looking at the whole situation as a "homer". I don't see it that way. How is it when I say that I think Ballard and Pock are going to make it, and saying that I think Jones will, and IMO I don't think Greene will.....how is that looking at it looking through the maroon and gold? I only say that because physical defenseman are so easy to find. I'm not saying it because he is a UND player. I have more class than that. When did I say that Pheonix was going to sign Ballard? I said that their is specualtion. Maybe people misunderstood what I was trying to say. Somewhere I'm sure there is speculation that half of the players on the UND roster are trying to be signed. Specualtion is speculation and thats it. About the whole Ballard/Pock thing, I was simply stating that offensive styled defenseman are harder to find. I'm not saying thats the reason they are going to make it and a defensive defenseman won't. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, those were not my intentions at all.

Just because you are big and strong doesn't mean you are feared. The only thing that I fear about Greene is that he will get a penalty for punching someone when he is on the ice. You should use your words smartly when you say he is "smart". When a kid gets I think the 3rd highest total in penalty minutes in UND history, thats not very smart. He knows his position, thats why he is "smart". Physical defenseman in the NHL are a dime a dozen. He reminds me way too much of a guy named Matt DeMarchi, very similar stats. If Greene makes it I will be surprised, very surprised. I realize the kid was drafted in 2nd round, by the way DeMarchi was also drafted in the 2nd round. I wouldn't have posted something if I didn't know the facts. I have heared Edmonton say that he could make it, I haven't heared them rushing to sign him for a playoff run. I wish the guy best of luck, and I hope from a fans point of view that he does come back. More talent in the WCHA. Besides Jones, I hope that Smaby makes a name for himself. I'll always root for a Minneapolis kid.

Oh yeah and no Vanek? HAHA, lets hear it.

Saviano did have a very good year. Bochenski also had a very good year, both deserving to be 1st teamers, but only 3 forwards can make it. I think this was a case of having half the team from the east and half from the west. Even though I agree with the first team, it could have a few different guys on it. I think Pock might be a little overrated but he is going to be a good NHL defenseman. Not great but good. As for where Ballard and Pock will be 3 years down the line? In the NHL. Jones is a very good defenseman, maybe the most underrated in the WCHA. Not worthy of being an all american, not this year anyway. As for Greene, are you kidding? I know you weren't saying he's an all american but can you honestly think that hes going to be somebody in the NHL? I'm not saying Ballard and Pock are going to be somebody either, but there is a reason why the Rangers signed Pock, and there is probably a reason why their is speculation that Ballard will sign with Pheonix. From what I have been hearing which is lack of it, I don't hear teams trying to sign Jones or Greene. If one of the two makes it it will be Jones, not Greene(good college defenseman, don't see him making it in the big biys league). Just my opinion.

Ballard will never get time on the power play? That is the reason he was drafted. He is the most skilled defensemen on the power play in college hockey. His numbers are not mind boggling 5 on 5, and he is a solid defensive defenseman at times but the power play is where he shines, and when was the last time an NHL team had a big, strong, physical defenseman play the point on the power play? The early to mid 90's? All that being said, Vanek leaves(truly a sad day to come), and Ballard stays. It will be much more difficult for the gophs to score goals next year, after losing our 2 pure goal scorers in Riddle and Vanek.

Sioux lost, what happened?

"Experts" huh? Wow, real experts, considering a total of three of those "experts" picked the Gophers to win the title the last two years, wow thats odd. Not a single 1 of those experts picked the Gophers two years ago to win it. That was a better team than last years too. So much for experts!! Maybe they have finally figured things out and picked a western school to win it. I'm not saying a Eastern school isn't going to win it or doesn't have a chance, but deep down I think whoever comes out of the western brackets is going to win it all.

By the way, go WCHA!!!!

Ok, first of all I'm a Gopher fan, so some people probably won't even read this. I understand that, cause when I see things posted from other fans(UND, UMD, ect.) on POI, I usually start to read it but it turns into them talking about how they hate the Gophers. This isn't a post about the Gophers, its about the WCHA hockey fans and hockey teams in general. First of all the WCHA gets the shaft!!! Let me explain, we are basically seen as NOBODYS to the eastern schools. Case in point, if you watched the NCCA selection show. Who did they talk about the most? Western schools? I think not. The recent espn.com picks to win the tournament this year, yeah most picked the top seeds to make it to the frozen four, but I think only 2 out of the 6 picked the sioux or the gophs. I mean I like being an underdog, but how can you be an underdog, when you are the no.1 overall seed? I mean most picked BC to win it. Don't get me wrong, BC is a very good team, I actually pay a lot of attention to the east schools in hockey. Granted hockey is the only sport I pay attention to on the east coast, other than hockey the east coast doesn't even exist to me. But, come on. BC is struggling, they finished 4th in the final poll, lost to rival BU at home. I can understand if some of the people to pick Maine to win it, they at least play a defensive style of hockey, they have a good goalie(which I think is just a little overrated, but still very good). I mean as much as I hate UMD and they are in the Midwest regional with the Gophs, they are a good team, they are a little banged up right now but they are a team to watch out for. Ok, enough of my NCAA tournament picks. Next, fans!!! I mean, i used to have a lot of respect for WCHA fans, I think we have the best fans in college hockey. We know our hockey!!! But, I have lost a little respect for some fans, and its sad that a few had to ruin that. Case in point.. last Friday UMN vs. UMD. I was litterally surrounded by ND and UMD fans, which I actually kind of enjoyed! Anyways, this UMD guy behind us obviously noticed that my buddy and I were the only gopher fans within about 40 feet of him so he decides he wants to rag on us. Perfectly acceptable. I was cool with it. GO for it, cheer for your team, you have the right. UMD, jumpson MN. SO this guy is just going nuts, just trying to get a rise out of us, didnt work. I have to much class. Anyways, this guy starts to get frustrated when the gophers start to take over. Understandable, but hey that doesnt mean you get mad when we cheer for our team. This guy starts screaming at us to sit down we we scored. Finally, the Gophers basically put it away, this guy pushes me in my back to sit down, we just scored for CS. Then he pushes my buddy. Then he has the nerve to kick me in my back, I basically almost fall into the row in front of me. I still have 2 bruises on my shins from hitting the seats in front of me. So, finally I'm pissed off so I turn around and tell the guy not to touch me, he screams at me about standing when my team scores? So, when I'm telling this guy not to touch me this, 60-70 year old man sitting next to me elbows me in the side. UMD fan. I was like whoa why did you just hit me? He said don't you dare yell at him(talking about the guy who was hitting me in my back). So when I'm trying to tell him how this guy was hitting me he starts swearing at me at how I'm disrespectful, then he elbows me again in the leg. He was swearing at me and stuff. I couldn't believe what was happening. SO finally a ND fan starts to yell at this old guy cause he saw everything happen. Lets just say the 2 old men who were sitting next to me weren't there on Saturday. I have a lot of respect for NoDak fans, I got nothing and gave nothing but respect to you while you were down here. I know we "hate" each other, but you have to respect good hockey, and give props to each other. I have come to the conclusion that it is usually some idiots that ruin the reputation of most. WOW that was long. Sorry!!!!