I Ranger

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.

Unfortunately that is what happens with the 5 minute major and Game Misconduct penalty. Players dive and act hurt to draw majors and it works way too often! I've seen players take way worse hits that deserved majors but if the player gets up quickly and doesn't act like he was shot more often than not it's called a minor. Players are rewarded for diving and acting hurt.

No doubt about that. I have no doubt Berry was the right choice but I think everything came a little too easy for him even in his first year. He is still learning how to be a head coach and unfortunately this year is a big learning curve. For all the Hak haters out there, there is no doubt in my mind he would have had this team figured out a month or two ago and playing their best hockey now. For those who say Herb Brooks or any other coach couldn't win with this team or would have the same record I totally disagree. This teams failures start at the top and that ultimately means Berry.

Jost played and scored twice against BC. Maybe you are thinking of Union which we beat without both.

Gardner is the one I would most like people to taper down their expectations. You have to remember that he was brought in to be a four-year third-fourth line center that plays tough and kills penalties while chipping in offensively occasionally. I think even the coaches would agree that he vastly surprised and over-achieved last year. I do think he is better now than what he was recruited to do but don't expect him to become a 20 goal scorer anytime soon. He would fit best as a third line center as opposed to centering a second scoring line with much higher expectations.

That makes me a little nervous that his injury is more serious after a week off and he is still out.

I wish I could agree. Last year 4 of the best teams in the country (and probably the two best at the end Denver and UND) were at the tourney and I thought the quality of the games were poor due to lousy ice conditions and boards. This is what makes the games hard to watch for me. Pucks bouncing over sticks constantly and terrible bounces off the boards.

Extremely awful!

Unfortunately I totally agree. We are not going this year for the first time since 2005. I think there needs to be a mass email chain started to Josh Fenton and the NCHC to get the tourney moved to the X. I get the reasons why the Target Center was the best option at the time of the creation of the NCHC but now that the X is available it should be a no brainer to make the move. Yes I know the costs would be higher and there are far less hotel/restaurant options but St. Paul is a hockey city and Minneapolis is not. I know I would gladly pay more for tickets and hotel to get back to the X. Let's make it happen!

So I've seen 1:00 CST and 2:00 CST and someone just told me 10:00? The site shows 12:00 PST which is 2:00 CST. Anyone know for sure the time?

Totally disagree especially on JJ. He is possibly our best forechecker at the moment and quite strong on the puck. I just don't see Olson bringing anything to the table.

I'm going to sound like a broken record but please someone tell me what Olson brings to the table? I get it most everyone rags on Wilkie for not scoring but he is starting to create quite a few chances. What is Olson? A grinder who can't grind? He gets knocked off the puck easier than anyone on the team.

I third that. After this weekend I think it is quite obvious 10 and 11 are our 13th and 14th forwards although I wouldn't bet on either sitting. I've said it a million times but Olson can't skate at this level. Just look at the difference between him and Gornall and you see why Gornall can make a difference. Skating

I'm with you in that I like his play recently but with the line he is on tonight I don't see him getting many if any chances unless he is on one of the pp units.

Exactly. A nice mix of studs and depth not all depth.

That's what scares me. We don't need depth defenseman.

Isn't Kierstad coming in next year? I thought at this point he is the only guarantee?