shep

Forgive me for yet again being the cold bucket of water on a Sioux parade, but I'd much rather see the team win than Dunc win the Hobey. I think he's been a very nice hockey player, and I hope he wins, but what's weird is that the potential Hobey winner will almost certainly be back in a Sioux uniform next year and his linemates almost certainly will not be as they move on to the NHL. Weird.

When I saw Maine earlier this year, I was VERY IMPRESSED. Total team effort; no real weaknesses, very strong team, all players have good size, mix in some scoring and Bishop is a great goalie. I vowed to bet on them when I went to Vegas in Feb, but alas, I forgot. Oh-oh. I think they look good.

Let's be gracious. It was a great college hockey game it could have gone either way and we are HAPPY to be heading back to where we belong. I don't bitch about the refs, because I realized a long time ago, that NO ONE cares what I say/type/or think. I am confused by the Bina tripping call, but I'm not complaining. WE WON!! For the record, this Sioux team is better than last year's, and though some sancitified Mike Prpich, the best Senior Leader this team has had in years is Chris Porter and not just b/c he scored the GW. Just a great team player, accepts his roll, doesn't take the stupid penalty, plays hard, PLAYS EVERY GAME and leads by example.

Put me in the scared category. I don't know how much you can tell by watching some videos. They will be ready to play, they have at least ... what 3 # 1 draft picks, have a line that rivals the DOT line and THEY have the better D if you ask me. This would be the toughest draw to the Title if they make it.

I agree with Redwing. I don't think that's happened before. The Gophs are a league above UAF. And I think the CHA will go home early.

Uh...if you are a real Bison fan shouldn't you be at a sheepherding class or an animal husbandry seminar. OOOOOHhhh wait...you guys are in the Gateway Conf. Wow. Save a place for us so we can resume kicking Bison ass.

I'm sure I'll be scolded for this, but when you ask if there is anything the Sioux can do to promote Duncan's candidacy, I'd say they did a lot by putting him on the same line as two of the best college hockey players in America. He's been good, he's been solid, but there is GREAT benefit to having the two best players in America on his line. IMO

It's a great sweep, but I won't say the Gophers suck. The run they've had this year is impressive as is their talent level. These teams will meet again. Woog makes a good point. He'll take the Sioux on the road. That makes sense. OH. Fight. Who won't play next weekend?

Campion has totally sucked, not partially, not sort of, but he's totally sucked tonight. If he keeps this up, he'll be an NHL ref b/4 too long. He calls anything. Any time a guy falls, it's a penalty. LOSER. I'm really gonna miss Oshie and Toews next year. Fun, fun, fun to watch. Lammy is picking it up nice too. Nice weekend.

So good to get 2 in a night at home and nice to get 3 (though I'd hoped for 4). Sweep next week and let's get some big mo heading down the stretch. Liked the intensity and I say that even had there not been a fight. Good effort all around.

I hate to note that the "we played hard" line is the usual refrain of losing teams. I hate to sound like an old fart, but I can recall the days when AA on the schedule was the signal for the WCHA stat keeper to put 4 ponts on the Sioux side of the ledger.

It is.

A freaking tie to AA?? At home? Yikes.

A couple W's anyway, anyhow is all I need. The rest is gravy. Can't wait to see Toews again. I hope his Juniors performance can continue on.

In that first game v North they spent the game in the box. I assume they did better last night avoiding the box.

Yeah, a "true fan" notices that a Sioux team was swept by Anchorage and Tech but thinks "hey the boys played hard and scored some goals and by golly gee wilickers we're gonna do better next time." It could be worse I suppose. Not sure how, but it could be worse.

The thing that KILLS ME, absolutely KILLS ME is the SAY NO EVIL theory of some posters and if you do, you are somehow not a true fan. That KILLS ME!!! I know of no other team that has such an overly sensitive fan base. If this team loses the rest of the games this year, there are some here who would-with heads firmly planted in the sand-talk about what a great team it is and what a privilege it is to cheer on the Sioux and what a great year it was. Here's my feeling: We expect CHAMPIONS here, not mediocrity and when we are given mediocrity we get upset. Why not? We should expect the best and when we don't get it, we can't say ANYTHING about it? That's nuts. I gotta go ring a Salvation Army bell, now.

FINALLY!!! Someone realizes that all the Sioux Hockey team problems are the fans' fault. (sarcasm)

My point about Toews (whom I like) is that he has those special plays every game and I maybe diminished it by calling them "occasional bursts" but I like him and he's one reason to come out to the games. I'm not sold on Miller or Duncan, but you've got the numbers there. Leading a weak team in scoring is not a great accomplishment. I dispute that the main reason the team isn't good is goaltending. It's Defense AND goaltending, but the old Sioux gave up 20 shots a game and this one gives up that many by the beginning of the third period. That makes a big difference to a goalie.

I've been critical of the team in the past years, but I think my expectations were so low coming into this year, that I'm not upset. It seems that this is as good as it gets for the Sioux this year and I'll still come out to watch Oshie and the occasional burst from Toews, but otherwise there isn't much here. I'm not sure what the pros saw in Lee, but it aint there. I don't know how far any team can go with Duncan, Watkins, Miller, Kozek getting significant time and it's obvious that Vandevelde and Forney are going to take time to develop. Maybe things will get better in the second half. Maybe.

I think it's stupid too. You could have the two AR's seated on a chair in a box overlooking his particular line and that could be his job without touching the ice unless there was some form of melee or fight to break up. Then you have the goal judge who is there to make a decision but if it's even a close call he can be overruled. Is there a less significant person at the game? The ref could call the goals from the ice and if they aren't sure about it, let it go upstairs. The refs on Friday were not strong. PERIOD, but I hate when we as Sioux fans use it as an excuse. This weekend the team against us was superior in all phases. PERIOD.

Didn't see any of tonight's game, but last night there was NOT a single goal that was Lammy's fault. Plus, I still think this Maine team is superb and it isn't just the Sioux team that's gonna take a licking against them.

I was at last night's game and I really can't blame captains or any Sioux player. This is a GREAT Maine team. Very solid from goaltender to blue line to forwards. Strong players, good with the puck, good discipline, strong forecheck, tough D. Honestly this is one of the best opponents I've seen in the past few years ranking right up there with the Denver team that won it all a couple years ago. So it will take a great effort to bounce back. GO SIOUX

I'm with you about Grafton, but I'm biased. I've lived here my entire life.

ND Pride, nice analysis of GPR. I live here and there's great hope that the young guns from Bantams will have an impact. The Mohagen kid got some seasoning last year and I expect much more from him this season. In an earlier post, someone mentioned that the Grafton team was hit with legal troubles. What up with that? Also, I find it sad that DL will have a good team and possibly may not make State. It still bugs me to no end that there are four guaranteed spots for the West which only ensures that in most years the best eight teams are not at State.