I Ranger

For me it's Olson and it's not even close. Since he's been back, that line has kept trucking due to Smith and Simo so sticking Bowen in for Olson would only improve that line in my opinion. Also, I don't think JJ sits when healthy.

I would be more embarrassed by the U20 crowds in Buffalo. They have somewhat recent history of attendance numbers at the Ralph for the U20 so it would be weak if they held the U18 attendance against them.

It would be an absolute joke if the Ralph never gets the World Junior again based on capacity. Every USA game (other than the outdoor obviously) has had pathetic attendance. I don't know if the Canada games have been much better attendance but it would be a shame if they don't consider the Ralph's bid seriously moving forward.

I am looking for 4 tickets for both nights February 9-10 for Colorado College.

Is this a new rule implemented this year? I thought it was just a suggestion to the rules committee as this isn't a rule change year. The rules can only be changed next year or am I mistaken?

Man I would love for the younger more talented brother to commit somewhere else to see if Wisconsin would keep this commitment.

I don't know what others think but I think Yon has looked good the games he has been in. He looks quick and confident with the puck. I know this won't be a popular opinion on here since most are big Smith fans but I would put Yon with JJ and Hoff before Smith.

Not going to happen. This same question was always brought up with Genoway in him playing forward. Some player's offensive instincts and abilities are much better served from the back-end. Just because you're an offensive minded d-man doesn't necessarily mean you would make a good forward.

He can be sent to the AHL whenever they want as he's on an entry level two way contract. I believe it's major junior guys at a certain age that can only play NHL or get sent back to junior. This is where you see teams give a CHL kid basically a ten game tryout before sending them back to the CHL as that's the limit after that they have to play in the NHL.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Jones much on here. I thought he may have been the most impressive forward out there. He seemed to be everywhere with a never ending motor. I really liked his play.

I don't think a volunteer position is getting anyone to retire from their playing career. It has to be a convenience for someone like it was for Goehring who was living in GF and working in another field who had the time and desire to help out the program.

I've said it before but I think center is the biggest question mark on this team. Gardner is definitely playing center but he is not a guy that should be centering our top scoring line but he may have to out of necessity. I see Gardner, Hoff, Bowen, Simo, Jones as our natural centers to start the year. Not sure on Kawaguchi but it would be nice if he could play center as he could fit in on a scoring line. I think this shows that we are going to need a guy like Hoff to really step up and be a top two line center.

This is off the top of my head so I'm sure missing some (probably a bunch): Quinn Fylling (was the first I believe), Matt Greene, Kristo, Grimaldi, Forbort, Gersich, Ausmus, Thompson, Mattson, Cichy, Jones. De-commits, Miller, Matteau, Koules, theres more I can't think of I'm sure.

I would rank a guy who left the same year as a much worse decision in Hextall.

But I think we are really fragile up the middle. Losing Jost really hurts up the middle. Gardner will never be the #1 center. He is a good fit centering a second line with some more power forward type wingers but isn't fit to center a top line with a guy like Gersich on his wing. Not sure who fits that top center role as of now but hopefully Hoff can be that guy. As has been said, it looks like a scoring/forward by committee/depth type squad next year with no superstars (although Gersich very well could be I just worry with no legit #1 center to play with).

Totally agree with you here. He is most valuable on the back end creating offense. He obviously needs to improve on the defensive side of the puck but he is most valuable back there. Some players are just better on the back-end than at forward. Not all offensively gifted players need to be forwards. Chay Genoway and Mike Reilly are two perfect examples. Much better at creating offense from the back-end than at forward.

Also high school hockey can take away from attendance with Hermantown, Duluth East, Duluth Marshal and Cloquet all in the area.

I would gladly pay $10-$20 more to see the games at the X and I think that is generous as to how much more they would charge. It wouldn't bother me to pay $50 more to be in St. Paul at the X and I know all of the large group that used to attend with me would agree but not sure others would. I know the arguments for Minneapolis and Target Center have to do with the restaurant/hotel options but again I would take the hockey town and atmosphere vs. the hotels/restaurant benefit of Minneapolis any day all knowing that not only will the tickets cost more but so will the hotel.

Seats from my understanding.

Just an FYI for anyone looking for tickets. A friend of mine called UND, UMD and BU ticket offices and purchased 2 tickets from UND and already got called back from UMD in which she could have purchased more (she only wanted two so just bought the ones from UND). She is also supposed to get a call back from BU tomorrow. Tickets are out there so make some calls Sioux fans.

That is one ugly looking second PP unit!

Nevermind I see the answer in the pairwise thread.

Who should we be cheering for in the Wisco-Ohio St game as far as UND'S pairwise?

I went the first 3 years and said I wasn't going this year. I am still not going and might be in the same boat as UND1981 in that I may not go back unless it's moved to the X.

I wasn't at the Scheels regional either but was at the Ralph in 2006. I agree with everyone in that it wasn't the typical Friday/Saturday regular season crowd at the Ralph that weekend. It was electric and the "Let's Go Sioux" chants were unreal before the team even hit the ice for warmups. Holy Cross made that atmosphere unreal all weekend. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was really nervous about Michigan all week and when Holy Cross scored the OT winner and the crowd went crazy my worries went away. I had no doubt we were beating Michigan that night.