shep

Re: Ovechkin: It aint cocky when you can back it up with great play. He's the best on the ice whenever he's out there. Malkin is a stud too. I agree they were cocky, but I'm not so thrilled about cheering for the gang that taunted US fans with "BEL-A-RUS" periodically, and who's fans near the TSN TV booth could think of nothing more creative than lenghty chants of JETS, JETS, JETS to which I wanted to yell, "Go to Phoenix to watch them if you want." I'm cheering for Canada though, only because they have a team captain who truly deserves the C on his jersey. Watch him and you' ll see what I mean, and for as much press as Crosby and Bergeron have received the real stars are on the blueline. Those guys don't get beat. shep

After watching last night's game, I assumed this was a "no checking" league. You mean they CAN check? Wow.

Hate to toss cold water on the American hopes (though I think they did enough of that themselves last night) but I'm seeing a Canada-Russian final. Thus far, the Canadians haven't really been challenged. It is a GREAT team from top to bottom.

red I understand (now) you were comparing styles, but I can't find a good way to compare Greene to Hale. Greene is undisciplined for much of the time he's on the ice. Hale was able to be a physical presence with some ability to exercise selfcontrol when the ref is standing right in front/behind him. Greene has NOT demonstrated that ability for much of this year.

Even funnier (well, as funny) is the attempted connection of Greene to that group (other than Hale). Apparently he forgot Bobby Orr. shep

There certainly is some hopeful posters out here re: Lee and his possible impact and I too am hopeful, though I temper it with reality. Which leads me to wonder what your predictions are for this US team. I have little info about the Euros/Russkies, but it appears Canada looks very strong and so I'd do some basic math to suggest that we would be happy to take home a medal from these games. Is that a fair analysis?

Someone mentioned the difficulty of Sandelin's job, but I don't think there can be a tougher job this winter (except for the poor buggers who have to stand in the REA parking lot directing traffic pre-game in soon-to-be 30 below windchills) than the Canadian coach. That team has some highly, highly rated players on it. If they don't win do they force him to move to America? Some people need to seriously review Zajac's play as a Sioux b/4 suggesting any bias against him on the Canadian staff. He's been a good Sioux player though not great. However, I hate to say this, but if he were American, I think a case could be made that he's been better than Stafford and perhaps should have made the US team. Just my thoughts.

Oh, I'm still concerned about his proven ability to take the stupid penalty which lead to the loss of some games. I was simply attempting to provide a compliment when the player does something worthwhile and though the referenced penalty was indicative of his reckless nature, it occurred in a better point in the game as compared to his normal two handed crosscheck to the back that he's done in front of too many refs while attempting to kill a PP. That's all.

I've been as hard on the "Greene Giant" as anyone, but I have to admit that he didn't have me screaming at his stupidity on Friday night though he made up for it a bit on Sat when he tossed one of the most flagrant elbows I've seen this year. So, he's seemingly getting it and I hope it continues.

Travis Roche. Perhaps the best Offensive DMan we've had. And he didn't get a stupid penalty every ten minutes.

I agree with you about the notion of building the team back up rather than just being hypercritical as I may have been in the first post here. I guess I'm at the point where this is addition by subtraction. I just do not see why he is on the ice in a critical situation when he's known to have this propensity to make stupid penalties. I will not fall for any "It's the refs fault for calling it" excuse, either as it was just a lazy stupid act. The guy didn't have the puck but he got mugged.

The irony is that his size and mugging style will probably get him a decent NHL contract if they ever have an NHL season. Yes, I'm with you...Edmonton can have him now, and I don't care who has to step in on the blueline.

Matt Greene must by now have the season record for stupid penalties. The ONLY question I have about Hakstol as coach thus far is when is he going to sit Greene's butt for a game to try to instill some discipline into him. The Sioux had momentum last night and then with two minutes to play he grabs a guy who DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE PUCK!!! Bench him, now!!!

I don't know if "overachiever" is the appropriate description, but I always loved watching Dave Tippett take the ice. I swear he would have run over the Zamboni machine to get to a puck.

The most disappointing, disgusting part of the team is the consistent ability to take a stupid, two-handed, cross check to someone's back. I bet Greene leads the WORLD in those and often does it when we are already down one man. If that lack of discipline continues, she's going to be a long season. Lamoureaux is in as the goalie and that's a MAJOR PLUS now.

Many of you keep referring to something called the "NHL" and I'm not sure what it is, but I know it don't exist. At least not this year and they are talking about scabs for NEXT year. Oh well. We have Sioux hockey and they never go on strike/lockout.

I heard the same thing and though I enjoyed hanging out in the bar, I think they felt that the price they charge for lounge seats 1500 per warranted making that a bit more attractive by allowing only those holders to be in the bar. Plus the seat holders apparently get a pass for each seat they own so that even if you don't sit in the lounge seats you can get a pass to be in the bar during the game.

We (Red Sox fans) CAN NOT talk about the games behind or something bad will happen. Let nature take it's course w/o jinxing it, is my view. This morning they were talking about it on Mike and Mike, and I changed the channel so as not to hear it. Btw, the pen darn near blew it last night. My apologies to the board for the Red Sox digression. This time of year gets me crazy. I'd love to be in Fenway for a playoff game (if they make it).

I worry about the Sioux ability to "replace" Bochenski and Parise, two players who, because of their unique skills, are truly irreplaceable. So many guys have to step up. Maybe it will happen (I hope it does) but I believe that their absence will be obvious for the first two months at least and there will be many times during games that we'll see a play and think "Parise would have made that pass" or "Bochenski would have put that one in." Never count the Gophs out especially if they get a Mariucci playoff game. They worry me with or without Vanek. Then again, perhaps my gloomy view is conditioned by the fact that I am also a Boston Red Sox fan, and to me the Gophs are like the Yankees-never count them out.

You have a test already? School just started on Tuesday. Who gives tests already? I want names.

Well...maybe not. What if he hasn't or doesn't sign? What if the NHL has a lockout? If he doesn't sign, wouldn't he still be eligible to enroll in January for the second semester?? What's the rules on that?

I'm puzzled by the townhouse idea too except that I suppose it would be convenient if the tenants are Sioux fans and just want to walk to the games. The restaurant in the development will be called 23 (does everyone know the significance of that?) and should open by the World Juniors.

I only saw the Tuesday game, but I completely agree. I suspect the focus improves during the real games, but he did not inspire much confidence in me. Then again, he doesn't need to impress me.