shep

So with his first career shutout, followed by a game in which he saw more rubber than a tire company and prevented it from being a double-digit score, followed by a game in which he was clearly the player who made the difference, is Phil the #1 goalie?? I hope so. I was there last year when Parise almost single handedly won the Wisconsin game that really turned the season around and I loved what he did during that stretch. I see great similarities to what Phil is doing NOW. That was then; this is now. Let's move on with Phil!!!!

WOW!! They win ONE game against the Gophs and they get the #2 seed in the regional?? WOW!!!

He shouldn't have done it. It was not a criminal act, but it was clearly negligent to do so. I bet he wishes he hadn't. I bet he was sick and tired of pucks after seeing 50 shot by or at him that night. But there's no defense for this-it shouldn't have happened.

Naw, none of them would have known what to do with it. Now can I complain about this team's effort?

As a season ticket holder and a former student who attended the games at the old Ralph, I agree with those who say it's not worse than it was in the past. It is however about MONEY. I have good seats behind the net so I'm not near the student section so I have no idea what type of vulgarity the letter is suggesting nor do I think that standing has been a problem this year. I wish the students were more involved. A lot of us old farts do just sit there waiting for something to happen though I despise that stupid noise meter thing they put up on the big screen to get us to "make noise" as compared to having the team cause us to do so. Bring these messages to the meeting to show to Dr Buning that many of us have no problem with student behavior. (Though I suppose those in charge may tell you they don't give a crap what some idiot named Shep has to say about the subject.)

I got two words for the Goofer newbie: Spell check Dude, I will take you up on the comment about Irmen and Potulny going to Rodentville because they want to win a National Championship. I bet they don't win one while they are there. Put your allowance where your mouth is.

Do they vote befoe the Regionals?? I ask b/c a great tourny may help. I'd go with Weisgarber too.

Like the Goofs did a month ago in GF.

If memory serves me correctly, they had a 6-4 for the last minute plus of the last game against the goofs and didn't score. It's not a gimme by any means.

First in Parise's defense (which I'm not accustomed to doing) Stoa is a monster. He's very hard to ignore. He gave up two five hole goals in game 2 and one in game 1 along with another that he was lying on and slid into the net himself. He was NOT up to the Gophers that weekend. I do NOT believe he's in the Karl class of goalies. He played VERY well last year from the Wisconsin series through the Championship, but before and since, in my view he's been good, at times great, and in the Minnesota series, mediocre at best. (I'm still peed off about the Gophs series.)

You note that "Phil's had one REALLY good game" and I can not overestimate the significance that such game ended less than 24 hours ago. The HOT HAND perhaps?? Also, I go back to the Minny series. They seem to have Parise's number this year. He just was NOT sharp. Phil came in (and I'd suggest this should count as one of his really good games) and shut them down and though their was no offense to speak of, gave the team a chance to win. Which was more than what we got with Parise. I'm not saying forever, but for this series, I'd be comfortable with Phil both nights.

A "sweep if Jordan can play"??? Did you see him play against them a few weeks ago. He let in at least 2 soft goals per game. Maybe the Parise of last February/March, but the current version aint getting it done. I'm comfortable with Phil. He played VERY WELL in the 3rd period of the second game and maybe he's the factor against them this year. I hate the GOPHS!!!! GO SIOUX!!!!!!!

Where's the love for Wayne Stephenson?? Doug Favell anyone?

I'm with you. (That's probably not comforting is it?)

I hope they play and play well, but this shouldn't be a weekend about the four Freshmen. This should be the weekend that the older, so-called leaders of the team carry them. If Stafford, Zajac, Porter, Spirko and the Captain do not have great weekends this team is IN BIG TROUBLE.

Well at least now I know WHY they've been playing like that.

Are we seriously saying that our words can effect their play?? SERIOUSLY??? So if we say something negative and they read it they may not play well because during the game they'll be thinking "Geez. Shep really laid into this team-I don't feel like scoing on this powerplay." C'MON!!!!!!!!! They should be reading (and listening to) the words their coach says in the paper and in the lockeroom. Beyond that, if ANY of them think they can advance to the pro level, what's it going to be like to be ripped in the big city papers?? I understand there's a certain "say no evil" element here lest ye be not a true fan, but this notion that we shouldn't say anything negative because it could be bad for the team is just strange.

I agree that sometimes this team comes out and just expects that talent will win. There is a ton of hype involved with their recruitment and some act as though winning a game will just happen because they put on the skates and the other "lesser talented" team will shrink or something. The new coach of the Colorado football team, Dan Hanskins, had a quote that I think fits this team: "You lose with potential; you win with achievers." Sounds applicable to this team??

Good post. I gave up a while ago on seeing them in their own regional. That's not pessimism, that's reality. Can't wait for the "they will come together in February" replies.

Well...I'm glad that I'm not the only one to leave last night's game with a bad taste in my mouth (and it wasn't the 5 beers I had to deaden my pain). They have lost the last 6 home games I've attended so tonight the Sioux get a W as I can't bear to watch. This type of loss really hurts come playoff time so I hope no one will suggest they got robbed if they don't make it. They brought it on themselves with efforts like last night.

VERY GOOD points Diggler. The infatuation with Kessel is mind-boggling around here. The reason he played a lot is because the coach's wanted him to, not b/c he just kept going out there to pad stats.

Boy, I was there and I don't recall thinking that he had a rebound problem. He made key glove saves in the third on shots targeted for the top shelf, but if he gave up rebounds it wasn't so much the South players weren't in the right place as much as the rebound was turned to the side. Just my recollection.

Just got back from South-Grafton. South dominated for two periods and won the game 2-1 with Grafton's lone goal coming with 1.7 seconds left. South is big, strong, physical, good skating, well disciplined team. Grafton came back in the third a bit and had some chances, but the shots were like 34-23 South and Kringstad was SOLID as was South's who made the saves when needed. South had two PP's and scored their goals on both. Campbells were shut down. South hit Paul and Thomas EVERY chance they got and it seemed to work. After the first period one parent noted how the Grafton guys were not going to the corners and they will feel sore in the morning. South's size is very impressive. Lots of RR players/coaches there too to watch this one.

Look, I'm TRYING to be optimistic, but most of those who are hopeful acknowledge the team hasn't been really good but they keep pointing out that the Freshman need time to mature. I agree. It's just that I'm not as accepting of waiting till next year as some, I guess.