Wilbur

Football season! Yes! I'll say UND 31 Humboldt 14

I can't remember when I've been more excited for the start of a football season. I know there is some questions about the defense heading into the year, but Lennon always finds a way to put together a defense that flies to the ball, and leads the conference in takeaways year in and year out. As far as the offense go, everyone knows the expectations they'll have, and that they'll be able to move the ball on every team they play. I'm expecting some big point outputs this season, and definitely the #1 offense in the NCC. Go Sioux! Can't wait for Humboldt State!

Okay...a fun little jab at me? I agree that there are a lot of people out there that haven't played hockey at any competitive level who post things about players that are very disrespectful on this board. Personally, I played high school hockey, but that still doesn't mean I'm going to go out of my way like others with no hockey experience to rip on players, or rip on a specific team. Go Magi!

I just used Dickinson as an example. Maybe I should have used Jamestown, because Bottineau did end their season. I think you completely missed my point though, but thats okay. And he would have had to impress more than Beinfeit and Antler River, because those coaches don't get votes for Mr. Hockey, and the HB coach only gets one vote. I'll say it again, I think Wurden was the best player, its sad for him that he didn't get the award, but its over with.

Let me first say that I thought Wurden should have won the award. I never got a chance to see Herbal play, but getting to see Wurden play a couple of games was a treat. Great skater, physical, and played a lot of minutes. To say that this is embarassing for North Dakota hockey is complete ignorance on your part. One kid from the west wins the award the last 15 years, and its a horrible thing? I feel sorry for Wurden, but he will probably still get drafted, and have a great hockey career playing college hockey somewhere. I don't think not winning Mr. Hockey will have a huge affect on him. I think it will be more of a motivator than anything. I have a question for you though. You are the coach of Dickinson. You played Bottineau and the Herbal kid lit your team up, and is the best player you've seen all season. Grafton and South won't play you, so you don't get a chance to see their top players. How can you vote for a player that you've never seen?

I'm on the side of MafiaMan. As a former UND student who spent some great years cheering on the Sioux in the student section the Ralph will always be a special place, and its an absolute dream to have for an arena for my favorite hockey club. However, the X just has something about it that makes it a better hockey atmosphere. I guess I'm just as comfortable watching games at the final five then I am watching the Sioux in a leather chair. Either way, its nice to see they are playing these games for a great cause. I consider myself very lucky to have met Jason, and I'm happy that his memory will live on like this through the game he loved.

The thing I was the most impressed with with Devils Lake was the class they showed after they scored a goal. They'd have like a one second little group hug and skate back to their positions. A couple of times they didn't really even celebrate. After they won their first round game over Bismarck they really didn't even celebrate. Groves skated right out to the red line and they shook hands right away. I think a lot of that reflects on the type of coach that Henry is, not accepting showboats and what not. It was great watching a team work that hard, and have some success. Congrats Satans....err...Firebirds!

I am a soccer guy who went right from the pitch to the ice, and it was the best thing I could have done to help me for hockey. I never really understood why soccer gets such a bad rap. Like you said, it takes great athletes to run constantly for 80 to 90 minutes, and although most people hate soccer for its so called lack of physical play, take a tackle to the ankle, or take an elbow to the head during a corner kick....and tell me it isn't physical. Playing goalkeeper I once broke four ribs, punctured a lung, and bruised my spleen which caused internal bleeding.

I haven't seen Wurden play this season, but to get EDC senior athlete of the year probably means you'll be Mr. Hockey. My guess is that Miller from GPR will probably be another finalist alongside Herbel and probably either Deichert, Hillman or McDougal?

Yes sir, he did move to Minot from Crosby.

I think those scores might have been worse than that. I don't care what anyone says, that was the best Championship game that I've seen in North Dakota. Yeah, the goaltending was weak, but what an unbelievable back and forth game. I was at that game as a youngster, and after that every youth hockey player in Minot wanted to be like Tom Philion. I like the whole Philion curse idea though. When they won state back in 92 Grafton was the first team that they beat by like a 5-1 score or something like that. I can't remember who they beat in the semifinals to get to the title game though.

I agree with you about Minot Chewey. Earlier this season they were tied 2-2 with Grafton with about ten minutes left in the game. Minot had a rush and Grafton's goalie made a great save on his back to prevent Minot from taking the lead, and then Grafton went down and scored. After that Minot just fell apart, and it ended up being 6-3. Yeah, I think Grafton is a better team, but Minot is capable of winning the game. But then we get back to it being the first round of the state tournament, and everyone from Minot kind of smiles and says..."here we go again." The key for Minot will be working hard enough to get some breaks. If they can get a couple of cheap goals off of deflections and what not they'll have a great chance to win the hockey game. If they take penalties, and don't create much offensive flow, it will end up like the last 15 years or so in the first round. Go Satans!

I would like to know what an average hockey team is? We have Red River and South that are good hockey teams, and I guess the rest of the teams in the state suck according to some people here. I just want to know how you get to the level of being a decent hockey club?

I usually cheer for all of the western teams the first day, but this year will be different with Devils Lake making the tournament. They kind of fell into a tough situation, because they probably would have easily won the west this season, but didn't complain at all and made state in probably one of the toughest EDC's in a couple of years. So good luck firebirds And good luck to the rest of the teams, although I'm sure some of the teams won't really need any luck.

I'll help you out: Fargo South vs. Bismarck Century Minot vs. Grafton Park River Bismarck High vs. Devils Lake Red River vs. Williston Thanks for all of the updates throughout the EDC!

EDITED Minot beat Williston I believe 6-3. Or that was the score with like 30 seconds to play. Bob Gillen has Bismarck beating Dickinson. Tomorrow's games: Fargo North vs. Grafton Devils Lake vs. Central Red River vs. Fargo South Bottineau vs. Williston Century vs. Dickinson Minot vs. Bismarck High

End of the second period: Minot 5 Williston 1

4-1 Minot about midway through the second period. Sounds like Skogen the goaltender for Minot is playing well.

4-1 Minot. Schmitt with all four Minot goals. Just beginning the second period.

Note to the Minot Radio Guys* I'm listening to the game on the radio, while trying to sign up for online graduate school. Good work guys.

Check that. Schmitt now with a Hattrick for Minot. 3-1 Minot

Midway through the first period Minot leads Willison 2-1. Bryce Schmitt with both goals. He's got a good career ahead of him. Only a Freshman.

A couple of minor upsets so far today. Central now plays the loser of DL vs RR for the right to go to State. Like another poster said Bottineau plays either Williston or Minot. I don't see Red River losing to Devils Lake, but a Grand Forks Central-Red River play in game would be fun to watch.

Thank you for keeping us up to date out east!

Thanks for the update. Bottineau has had a good tournament so far. It would be neat to see them make the state tournament.