mksioux

This is a good thread. I've long wondered about this. I've always thought Grand Forks has an unusually high number of DI players per capita...especially for a city in a State not considered a hockey powerhouse (like Minn, Mich, or Mass). I think determining a player's "hometown" is increasingly becoming a more difficult propostion. One's "hometown" can be a slippery and subjective concept. For example, Brady Murray lists his home town as "Brandon, MB" but has never really played organized hockey there. Zach Parise lists his hometown as Faribault but I believe grew up playing in the Bloomington system. Tyler Hirsch lists his hometown as Bloomington, even though he played high school at SSM in Faribault. The Eaves brothers at B.C. also list their hometown as Faribault, but I don't know how long they actually lived there. On the Lincoln Stars webpage, Dan Irmen lists his hometown as Fargo, not Grand Forks.

tailgating for Sioux hockey would most likely have to be done off REA premises...unless it's an officially sponsored REA tailgating party (which means all beer drinking must be done in the beer garden). The best bet would be to find a place close to REA, but off REA grounds (not too many options).

I agree with the fact that all teams have idiot fans and flaming fans. However, don't give me the "we cheered for Ferris because we matched up better against them" routine. I was there. Cheering for Ferris for your stated reason would not require the high-fives, the smirking at the Sioux fans, and the "go home Sioux" comments. Sure, there may have been some quiet ones like you who silently rooted for Ferris for the matchup reason...but the vocal ones were cheering against UND because it's UND. ...not that there's anything wrong with that btw. I'm sure there would be Sioux fans that would do the same thing. Just be honest about what happened.

The Grand Forks Sioux? I didn't know the mayor was the force behind the seating changes.

I agree that the best place for the students is the south end behind the goal and the southwest and southeast corners. The more seats in the lower level the better. I know that the south-end seats are higher priced than the north-end seats...but the extra money made by opening up the red-line seats would make up for this loss of money. No matter what decision is made, a certain group of people are going to be mad. I think moving the students to the south end is the best possible solution. But I realize it won't happen...at least not next season.

Corner seats are better IMO. Not only is it a better view from a hockey purist perspective, it inhibits the sightlines of others far less than where the seats were previously. The fact that students are being transferred to corner seats should not be a cause of disgust toward REA or RT. I think the students have only two legitimate gripes. First, the student seats should be in one of the south corners where the Sioux score twice. Second, the the transfer of 100 seats to the upper deck. Students should concentrate on these two issues rather than reckless criticism about how REA and RT are constantly "screwing" the students.

Yea, Dahlen transferred from Lake Superior State. It's tough to tell how good he'll be. I've heard some reports that he was a pretty good defenseman on a rotten team. At least he has some D-I experience. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to see him filling Leinweber's role next year (perhaps I'm being too optimistic). But no matter how good Dahlen turns out to be, I think Blais has to go out and get another D-man for next year (assuming this report is true).

I also could sense that Blais did not fully expect D. Hale to return next year. But if that's true, why hasn't he recruited another defenseman? I think most people would agree that the ideal number of defensemen to have on a college hockey roster is 8. I think Blais even said something to that effect this past season. With the departure of Leinweber and D. Hale and the additions of Smaby and Chad Dahlen, we're still at 7. We found out this year, that 7 is cutting it real thin. If one gets hurt and one isn't playing well (or 2 get hurt) then we're stuck playing a forward back on defense which is risky in the WCHA. One would think that if Blais knew D. Hale was not returning he would have recruited another defenseman to get the number up to 8, where it needs to be. Maybe he still plans on finding a late recruit to bring in next year. I know we found Prpich pretty late in the game last year...maybe we can do the same with a defenseman.

ScoobyDoo too I really don't care much about the influx of Gopher fans to this board. I find the timing a little curious, but oh well. The more the merrier I guess. Nice first post btw

Whether this post is true or not...I think the announcement is inevitable. I figured David would leave ever since I read PCM's interview with him a while back.

Now Slap Shot's here too? I thought I was trying to get away from uscho. Next thing you know, Happy will be making an appearance.

That's what I was getting at...but didn't want to go all the way.... Obviously he was fishing.

As someone already pointed out, this is a very similar situation as Panzer-Miller. Michigan State was a defensive team in a defensive league. Who voted for Miller anyway?

....it is Gopher arrogance that makes most teams answer that way.

pssst...Goon....Minnesota-Duluth is not in MnSCU. FWIW. But nonetheless, Wiseman is 180 degrees from his handle.

No chance on Kunitz...it's obviously a 2-way race between Sejna and LeNeveu.

Searching for some Sioux fans to stroke your ego? Seriously, the way it's looking now, I don't think too many Sioux fans will claim that the Sioux will have a better team on paper next year than the Gophers. Assuming no early departures, the Gophers only loss of a regular player is DeMarchi, which isn't much of a loss. On paper, Gophers may have a slight edge in their recruiting class. Add that to the fact that the Gophers had a better year this year...and obviously the Gophers will be favored at the beginning of next year. Anyone who says anything different is probably biased. But then again, games are not won on paper and ANYTHING can happen during the season. Early departures could change everyone's analysis as well. I'm not real familiar with Minnesota's situation. I would guess that it's possible, but not likely, Minnesota loses someone early. The Sioux lose Spiewak and Notermann to graduation. Both are real losses, but hopefully not irreparable. I'm really concerned about David Hale leaving early. Every morning I check the sites hoping I don't read an article about him signing a professional contract. His loss would be devastating. I've become used to early departures of our best players so I'm just kind of waiting for the announcement at this point. The Sioux will be better (especially if Hale returns), but so will the Gophers, Duluth, and Mankato. CC might not be quite as potent, but will still be very good. Therefore, Minnesota will be the obvious favorite in the league and spots 2-5 will be wide open IMHO. I think St. Cloud will be down, Wisconsin is another year away, and Tech and UAA are what they are. Denver is a wildcard IMO.

I'm sure many of you already know this, but I didn't see it posted here yet. Goren recalled

We must have been sitting in different sections.

DaveK - Since you are both a Sioux and Gopher fan, I hope your "embarrassment" runs both ways. Most Gopher fans I observed on Friday were either staying on the fence or rooting for Ferris. I know there's talk on this board from Sioux and Gopher fans about cheering for WCHA schools when you're team is done, but from my first-hand (and somewhat biased) perspective, I hardly ever see Gopher fans cheering for the Sioux...especially the last couple weekends. So I don't see what the big deal is if Sioux fans choose to cheer for the Gopher opponents. Personally, I won't cheer for them or against them, but I certainly am not going to be "embarrassed" if Sioux fans cheer for someone other than the Gophers. I would expect nothing different if the roles were reversed. PCM - Heck, the Gopher fans don't even need their team to be in the tank to bash the Sioux and their fans. I'm not trying to be a cry-baby just because Gopher fans don't cheer for the Sioux, but I just think it's a bit hypocritical to expect Sioux fans to cheer for the Gophers once we're done.

Yea you're right...it is too bad that the Gopher fans cheered for Ferris State.

The ticket is spoken for.

All the cheering in the world isn't going to change the fact that Mercyhurst is going to get steamrolled tonight. I just pray UND wins so I'm not in a terrible mood when forced to listen to the rouser 15 times.

I know it's late, but if anyone needs 1 ticket for the Friday session, let me know. Charging face ($35) - Section 3, Row 14, Seat 15 I can meet at Stub & Herbs before the game.