SiouxFanInBoston

I actually hope Chris Drury comes to Boston. (BTW, I left out the part of the Globe notes about Calgary's less-than-enthusiastic response to Drury who hasn't been producing like he did in Colorado. The fans call him "Chris Dreary." I assume he's just not happy in Calgary -- and I guess I don't blame him.)

Thought I'd pass on a couple notes from today's Boston Globe touching on some players trying to make in the NHL (see the end). It seems brutal out there -- yet, for some, the transition seems so simple (for instance, Dany Heatly -- Rookie of the Year, hat trick last night; Chris Drury -- Rookie of the Year). Why do you suppose that is? Lee Goren has been up with the Bruins again the past few games, and although he is doing some good things, he still has a ways to go. Gordy Klusak, former Bruin and current Bruins TV color person, said during last night's game that if Lee is going to make it in the NHL, he really has to become much more physical and use his body more. The Bruins have been alternating having Lee and Andy Hilbert come up for few games a piece. Lee's been up while the Bruins have been winning so, hopefully, he'll get to stay up longer and prove himself. (BTW, here's a link to an unofficial Lee Goren site that posts News about Lee pretty regularly: http://goren.blueskates.com ).

I hope the voting for Kevin is a response to that USCHO poster's thread (I think he's a Ferris State fan). Although I've read it for years, I have not taken the liberty of registering on it in order to post things on the USCHO Board. The comment from the original poster on that site demanding that Sioux fans stop stuffing the ballot by voting for Kevin Spiewak did get my goat, though. (And no offense to Kevin -- I didn't vote for him ... yet. That guy's post might make me, though ...) In any event, if any of you who do post on the USCHO Board feel like letting that guy know, below is a quote from the Hobey Baker website, itself, explaining part of the criteria for winning the award ...

Providence cannot be an Olympic-sized rink -- was there in 2000. Great news on CC, Maine tonight. I was at the BU-BC game at Walter Brown Arena (BU) last night. Great environment, but hard to see BC win (and they won tonight against BU at BC, too). BC has a great 1-2-2 trap. BU couldn't get it out of their own zone Thursday night. Reminded me of the North Dakota/BC regional game in '99 (Maine won it all that year in Anaheim). Gotta use that speed against them to control the puck. I don't ever want to hear "E-A-G-L-E-S. Eagles, Eagles, Eagles!" again in my lifetime! Beat BC (no matter what)!

I think the game will begin at 11:05 ET, #33. I'm waiting for it myself. My thoughts are: "ZIP to ZACH" and cash in on the "Money"! Go Sioux!

But, the Saturday night game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports North, right? I've wondered if there are any other Sioux fans in the Boston area who've tried to see games at local spots in town. Are there any of you out there? If so, where have you gone to see any games? I've watched a few Sioux-Minnesota and Sioux-Wisconsin games, and a couple WCHA final five games that were broadcast on the MidWest Sports Channel at T's Pub in Boston in years past. That's a BU hangout, but they've been pretty accommodating -- even when I was the only one who wanted to watch (without the sound on). Of course, it helped a couple years ago when one of the waitresses turned out to be from Grand Forks. No kidding. She was a freshman at BU that year. Is the Midwest Sports Channel still out there, or did it become Fox Sports North, or what's the deal? Thanks.

There was a nice article about Lee Goren in today's Boston Globe that I've copied below. I've been out of town each time he's been brought up this year, so haven't seen him in person at the Fleet this year (I've seen him in prior years). The Globe also reported on Landon Wilson who's recovering after eye surgery. I've copied that report after the article on Lee. I really hope Landon isn't out for good. That would be horrible. P.S. It was fun seeing the Sioux at the Ralph Friday night. BRUINS NOTEBOOK Goren is a work in progress By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 12/29/2002 TLANTA - He has had four stints in Boston this season - twice this month and twice last month. Each time, he has tried to make an impression on the coaching staff and management in hopes of sticking. Last night, forward Lee Goren played in his seventh NHL game of the season. In his first six, he had two goals and one assist, with one of the goals coming in Friday night's loss in Tampa Bay. Against Atlanta, Goren played just seven shifts over 4 minutes 52 seconds of ice time on a line with Andy Hilbert and Sean Brown. Goren said he's just trying to make progress with each outing. ''Right now I'm just trying to work hard and fit in and play anywhere they put me and just try to get the job done,'' said Goren, who has 28 points in 30 games with Providence this year. ''It's difficult at times. But I'm glad to be up here and it's where I want to be playing. There are 22 good hockey players in that locker room and to play with any of them is an honor.'' It was a chore just getting to where his teammates were. He had gone to the Minneapolis area for the Christmas holiday. He got the call Thursday to join Boston in Tampa. He flew from Minneapolis to Providence. Then, on Friday morning, he went to Boston to board a plane for Tampa. He arrived around 12:30 p.m., in time for the pregame meal and a nap. ''I felt a little sluggish in the first period,'' he said of his early shifts against the Lightning. ''As the game went on, I felt I got things going and I thought I had an all right game. I made some good plays and got the puck out. I kind of cost the team one goal at the end there, but other than that I thought it was all right.'' It's never easy for players to bounce from line to line but Goren said it goes with the territory. He knows he's bound to see more time on the fourth line than the first until he proves himself. ''It's just something that we have to do as professionals,'' he said. ''I'm just happy to be here. I don't care what line I play on. I just want to get out there and try to prove that I belong and day in and day out - don't give them any kind of indication that I want to be in Providence.'' He said he's not putting too much pressure on himself to score every shift. If he's making a consistent contribution, be it hitting or getting the puck out of the defensive zone, he figures he'll be noticed and eventually the points will come. ''Every time I go out on the ice I want to try to prove something,'' he said. ''I want to prove that I belong here and that I can play in this league and I want to play in this league for a long time. I think I'm making progress.'' Goren spent time playing on a line with center Joe Thornton and right wing Glen Murray Friday as coach Robbie Ftorek tried to get something going. Goren said he had the time of his life. ''Coach had me playing on the first line with Joe and Muzz and that was unbelievable,'' he said. ''I've watched them the last five or six games I've been up and to actually be on their line is awesome, it's fun. ''It's like we've always got the puck in their zone. Joe brings so many guys to him and he opens up room. Those guys are unbelievable hockey players. I learn a lot from watching Muzz. The way he plays is fun to watch.'' Wilson ailing By Kevin Paul Dupont, Globe Staff, 12/29/2002 Tough times for ex-Bruin winger Landon Wilson, who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn left retina, the injury sustained Dec. 13 when teammate Shane Doan's shot deflected into his unmasked face. It will be at least another three weeks before eye doctors can assess the damage to the 27-year-old winger. Wilson is virtually certain to miss the rest of this season and his career could be in peril. Meanwhile, Coyotes general manager Mike Barnett, his own playing career curtailed by an eye injury in the minor leagues some 20 years ago, is thumping the tub for the NHL and the Players' Association to make eye protection mandatory, similar to the wearing of helmets. Not a single NHLer would dream of suiting up without a protective cup, but the vast majority, especially the North Americans, won't even consider eye protection. The bet here is that 3-5 years from now, when everyone is wearing eye protection, we'll find the idea of playing without a visor just as unthinkable as a goalie going out there without a mask ...

Thank you, everyone. See you at the game!

Sorry for posting this here, but it's very last minute and I've suddenly gotten the urge to get up to the tournament tomorrow (Friday). I'm visiting relatives in Fargo. I've sent a few e-mails to people on the REA site asking if they still have tickets but no luck so far. I can't imagine tickets are sold out, but also don't want to drive all the way to Grand Forks to find out no one's selling outside the door. Does anyone know if tickets will be sold at the arena on gameday? Thank you everyone. (I'm also hoping to avoid any service charges from Ticketmaster or whatever.)

When I was home in North Dakota in December listening to the GLI tournament on the radio, the announcers said that North Dakota was going to host a holiday tournament at REA for the next few years and that was why the Sioux wouldn't be back at the GLI for awhile.

You're right, Goon.

Almost called it a night when CC scored their 4th goal in the 3rd, but for some reason didn't.

Goon -- I haven't heard anything lately about BU starting up the football program again soon. I didn't follow the team so will have to check around to see if they were good or not. But, hey -- did you watch the B's against the Senators tonight? If not, be sure to watch the highlights on ESPN. Major melee on the ice -- even Dafoe got into it (and then he was outta there)! Fun to watch (and luckily it doesn't look like Lord Byron hurt himself or anything)!!

Boston University got rid of its men's football program a few years back because the funding for men/women's sports wasn't equal enough and they didn't want to increase the funding.

Wow....

Yes, that arena is mind boggling!

Does anyone know what happened to Dixon Ward?

Goon -- Those sound like great memories!

I agree with all of you.

I think Mike is doing okay for himself.

Goon -- Thanks.

None of you have heard reports that Dean himself might be considering replacing Sauer, have you?

I already posted something in a different thread about Jeff giving me a classy nod when he saw my Sioux jersey at the end of one of his first games with the Worcester Ice Cats in Worcester, MA, after the Frozen Four last year.

I've been lucky enough to be able to follow Jeff Panzer (Worcester Ice Cats) and Lee Goren (Providence Bruins) in the AHL here in Boston.