DamStrait

Bottom line is that the Sioux need to start showing they can win the tough games on the road. The offense needs to really start to show some improvement, because if they don't, it leaves ZERO margin of error for the defense, which is just really not fair to those guys. They could have a stellar game with the exception of one or two plays, and the offense just can't pick them up. Case in point: @ SCSU this year. Winona probably doesn't deserve to be a lock at this point, but if the Sioux don't win out and EARN a trip to the playoffs, it won't matter because had they made it, they'd not be going anywhere in them anyway. UND is a fantastic defensive team, probably tops in the country, but their offense to this point has not been good against anything better than poor competition. If they have championship aspiratons, they need to get it going on both sides of the ball and no better time to start than this Saturday.

You mean 4 goals in two games?

I'll bet he did at the time he made his post!

You beat me to it sprig. I was going to ask if we should refer to him as Sir 7titles or m'lord?

Ditto. I think Mussman has forced the young QBs to do too much. Take some of the pressure off of them by running the ball more. Nothing wrong with Roland and Strouth (who has been much more impressive this year than last). And if they need to be spelled, Beatty, Dressler and even getting Wisthoff involved are good options. Even if they don't score any more, running the ball has the great benefits of taking time off the clock and minimizing opportunities for turnovers.

Just shows what a crap sack Donnie Lucifer truly is.

Jim, DO NOT FEED THE TROLL!!!

Is this a gut feeling or is it based on something more substantial. If the latter, would it be possible for you to elaborate?

My $0.02: 8. The rest 7. Baseball 6. Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving 5. Women's Hockey 4. Men's Basketball 3. Women's Basketball 2. Football 1. Men's Hockey

I agree with just about everything that jk wrote in his first post on this topic. It matters most not to be hot at the beginning, or even the middle, but at the end of the season. In that respect, the boys have not fared well the last few years. We all give St. Cloud grief for their post season futility, but the good guys have had trouble in that area lately too. I don't want to make too much out of it though. Sometimes things just don't go the right way. Last season's loss in the regional championship game is a good example. I'd be hesitant to read too much into it because it was not as if the Sioux were badly outplayed. To the contrary, Denver was badly outplayed for long stretches of the game, to the point where, more than once, Denver fans gave their team a Bronx cheer when they were finally able to gain control of the puck in the Sioux zone after long periods of Sioux control broken only by DU dumping the puck just to allow them to change lines. Our boys just couldn't find the back of the net and lost a heartbreaker. Theoretically, the new emphasis on obstruction should also help, as Denver was allowed to do whatever they wanted to slow our boys down as long as it wasn't done with intent to injure. I am not convinced that there will be that much of a change however, at least based on what I saw Saturday. Once UND got the lead, especially after going up by two, Maine was taking rides on the backs of the Sioux. They let it go on quite some time until the ref finally had had enough and sat one of them down. If this is the way its going to be, there won't be much of a difference from last year. There may be more penalties per game this year, but most of them will be early in the game. As the game gets into the later stages, the trailing team will be allowed to get away with what was a penalty just a few minutes earlier, so the team with the lead (generally the better, more talent laden team) will end up with the most penalties. Not really a big change. But with the Sioux PP, maybe it won't much matter. It's early, let's not get too excited or too down. This team is different from last year's. Let's enjoy the ride and not get too worked up about things that probably don't matter (like polls in October!).

How about SORC (Steal Of the Recruiting Class).

Stafford, 2 games, 2 GWGs. Guess the NHL scouts know something after all.

Amen, OETKB, AMEN!!!!

What did TH say about the Greene non-penalty?

Maine holds the zone by hanging all over the boys so they have to ice it to clear the zone. No whistles. More BS

Greene got away with one, but in his defense, I think this was another incident where Greene was so much taller that when he puts his arms up to protect himself, his elbows are at head level.

Finally, a PP for the Sioux after Maine has beeen hanging all over them all period.

You got it on the nose, sprig.

Idiot Maine fans, calling for a penalty when one of their players skates in on Brandt covering the puck then trips on Brandt who does nothing but gather in the puck.

Sioux carrying Black Bears all over the ice, yet no whistles.