keikla

I'm sorry, did you miss the 2012 World Jr Tournament? I'm going to make a few comments, which I'm sure I'll be personally insulted and berated for. 1) While I don't think the coaching staff is guilt-free in performances like last night, I also don't think they are the only ones to blame. As a player, you have to take personal responsibility in the effort that you produce. 2) Criticize or don't criticize Hakstol...I don't care. But Blais isn't infallible (read: UNO's record vs. Bemidji), so get over it already. 3) Last night's performance was the worst, most uninspired I've ever seen from a Sioux team...period. But I'm not willing to give up on them for the season. Nor do I think it indicative of their 'heart.' JK said it best...that's a character issue, not a circumstantial issue. And since most of these boys were on last year's team, we know they have it in their character...they just need to find it. 4) Still trying to find line combos in late January is definitely not ideal. But, most coaches don't have 2 new players simultaneously available in January who they haven't had for the first half of the year. 5) Maybe we should stop making the assumption that just because someone is listed as a healthy scratch it means they are actually healthy. Shoulder surgeries are notoriously difficult to recover from, so rather than villify OD for being 'a huge disappointment,' I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that he's still working on it. But, that's just my personal opinion. So, go ahead and accuse me of drinking green kool-aid and wearing green colored glasses, etc. I think last night's game is beyond worthy of criticism and contempt. And had I been there, I also would have booed as Simpson let the clock tick away to finish the second. I'm just not ready to give up on the whole team (or coaching staff) because of it.

I had a good laugh at EasyMac's honesty this week: "He cooks and cleans while I like to eat and watch."

Wow. That is a region of death. As someone who lives in New England, I am sincerely hoping that the Sioux end up in Manchester or Providence so that I can attend.

Malone called up to the Avs today

Haha, let me try that again. Jayson mentioned during Friday's live chat that St. Clair might be dinged up. Happy?

It will be interesting to see if St. Clair plays this weekend. If I recall correctly, Jayson mentioned something about St. Clair being dinged up during Friday's live chat...but he certainly looked good (via radio) on Saturday.

Wow. That series has to be tough to swallow for Mankato.

Thanks for sharing! That was a very interesting/entertaining read.

Sweden channeling the New England Patriots by going undefeated the entire tournament until the championship game.

Amazing chances for Sweden.

Wooooohoooo!!!!!!!! Tie game, about halfway through.

Lots of good pressure for USA following the SWE goal. 4 on 4 now.

Excellent chance by Grimaldi...hits both posts and out. Something we're used to around here!

Wow, that was a great (extended) PK for Sweden.

And Russia beats Canada for the bronze. Canadians going home empty-handed for the first time since '98, I believe.

Obviously tongue-in-cheek, but a very humorous read. And the comments are just as good as the article!

Honestly, I kind of expected a 5-1 score from this game. What I didn't expect, is that the USA would come out on top.

Completely agree. Canada starting to get a little chippy.

Canada shorty

First penalty of the game about halfway in. Let's go USA!

Haha as if you have anything else to do. Some of us actually have to work today after getting up this early!

Is that Grimaldi's first point in the tourney?

Team USA looking pretty good thus far. Let's hope they can keep this up, and playing so many games in a short span on time doesn't catch up with them.

I'm pretty sure I saw somewhere that Nelson is out for 2-3 weeks with a fractured jaw.

Wow...Rocco's pretty hard on himself. Per Twitter: "I was the worst player on the ice today. I did absolutely nothing and that is unacceptable. That CAN NOT and WILL NOT happen again."