LeftyZL

Stop padding your post count for pete's sake.

How big of a difference are two teams like UND and UMD? Where 10 points separate them, does anyone know how this score is compiled? I mean, are we talking light years difference or more like splitting hairs? I can't imagine that there is too much of a difference between the 2 teams, or any teams for that matter.

I don't think people on here are advocating that the defense become handicapped in that they are not allowed to be physical or play the game. What seems to be the focal point is the hooks, slashes, and holds that aren't consistently called. I understand some of the ticky-tack stuff that the NHL ref calls are weak calls, but the way that the rules are written for that league, that's a penalty. Especially the calls with the little hooks from behind where it doesn't benefit either player. All we(college hockey) would have to do is modify the verbage to satisfy everyone. We've talked about this on this site on numerous threads. If you allow that stuff to continue, you are in essence handicapping the offensive players. And that's not fair either. The referee's are on the ice to make it a level ice surface for everyone: Offense, Defense, and Goalie. Follow the rules set forth and I think you would here a lot less complaining.

But do you enjoy the players that make plays to look good? Usually whenever a goal is scored, someone looks bad, and someone looks good. It's a simple formula. If a goalie can't fathom being lit up, then maybe they need to practice a little more or try a different hobby. This isn't termite's hockey.

I've just been reading this thread without posting on it, but I find it absolutely hilarious that you believe you weren't picked up on the interestate while hitch-hiking because you are Native American. Could it be that you might be/are a total stranger to the passers-by? Could it be that people have read numerous horror stories about hitch-hikers? That story of yours has nothing to do with being Native American, White, Black, Spanish, etc. It's a fact of life. You are not the only one that has hitch-hiked down the interstate before. You are not the only one that hasn't been passed by numerous vehicles on the interstate before. That you only had to walk 5 miles to a town to get help is lucky enough since you could have been out in the middle of nowhere. Many people have walked much, much longer.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but The NCAA doesn't allow noise makers into their events of any sports.

No No No, you have it all wrong. The psychiatrist(UND Grad) doing the prescribing of the medicine gives orders to the pharmacist(NDSU grad) of what medicine to fill and how much. So, in actuality, an NDSU grad is taking orders from a UND Grad. Just how it should be. I kid, I kid. I'm actually glad that both schools have a program that somewhat compliments each other. It works well for everyone.

Was there any sort of security(fence, etc.) around the site? Not that it would keep a person out if they really wanted in.

Well, for one, it's not a coach of ours. Two, he wasn't fired. He resigned. You're misleading and/or twisting words.

I'd say his point, and he can correct me if I'm wrong, is that even the best/top programs struggle once every blue moon. It's a valid point. Every top program will struggle sometime just with the new day and age of prospects leaving early. And, by struggle, I mean .500 record. That's a lot better than most teams achieve each year.

I wasn't disagreeing with that. You would think that the NCAA would have learned its lesson from their trip to Anaheim back in the 1990's. From the 5 Frozen Four's I have been to...Columbus was the worst to me, St. Louis is next, followed by Denver and then Milwaukee(2x). I thought Denver and Milwaukee were great, St. Louis so-so, and Columbus just poor. Columbus isn't/wasn't a hockey town and probably never will be. Chicago would be a great choice. But what's holding it back? No bid? Pro Hockey/Basketball makes the scheduling a mess I would think, especially so close to play-off time. If Colorado would have been home to the Wild last weekend, what would the NHL have done? Wednesday-Sunday?

The only negative things I have to say about the hotel were the lack of the bar and the ice machine's fiasco. Our room was a little warm, but open the window and we were good. The other Sioux fans we talked to seemed to have it worse than we did. But, according to the restaurant staff, the previous owner ran the hotel into the ground and then sold it off. He proceeded to take some of the coffee pots, clocks, and remotes from rooms. Personally, I thought the breakfast was very good. 2 omelete's and a glass of milk for $11-$12 with our coupons they gave us. The restaurant staff appeared to be trying a lot harder than the hotel staff IMO.

If none of the teams that you mentioned were there, how good would attendance really be? It always depends on the teams/fan bases that make it and it always will.

Anderson was ok until the penalty filled 2nd period of the championship game. He calls a back-to-back penalties on Notre Dame, gives one right back to BC. All of a sudden, Notre Dame is carrying the play, Gerbe(I believe) tackles the d-man at the point with a shot to the head, and Anderson just stares at the play with no call. That's the problem with him, and most other refs, in this league: Consistency. He called obvious and ticky-tack stuff leading up to that play, but for whatever reason, let that one go.

Not including the drinking in Denver: 2.5 days of HEAVY boozing on the bus for me, 3 days for the big-timers, and I'm still alive. Great time, minus the crappy roads through the Black Hills to start our journey on Thursday. And a shout out to the Grafton/Minto bunch(Ernie, Art, Reggie, Jamie?), rock stars, that's all I need to say. If they actually went to McMenamy's last night after we got back, unreal. Hopefully I can drink like that still in 15-20 years.

Majority rules then. And if the unthinkable happens, and part of the group wants to head home, maybe one bus could leave on Friday and the rest on Sunday? Just an idea. I'm a newbie to the bus.

Al called me today, updating me on the hotel situation, and said we are now leaving from the old fairgrounds. I believe that's on Gateway Dr. by the race track. Buses will be there at 6:30, leaving at 7am sharp. Anyways, Bud Light will be on tap. Also, he said it's not a for sure that we would come back on Friday if the unthinkable happend. When I first spoke to him, he said if the unthinkable happend, we would leave Friday and work our way back. He said today it will have to be a group decision. Personally, I'd like to stay in Denver until Sunday just to take in some of the sights.

Have you sat in the level 200's before since you live in Denver? How are the seats?

I didn't say The Horse, I said A Horse. Probably a Clydesdale of some sorts.

I wouldn't say Finley is definitely signing after this season either....That's straight from a horse's mouth.

Except neither team has had a WCHA team yet just like MSU last year

For hotel rooms, he told me last night on the phone that they had sent bids out to hotels in the Denver area and were waiting to hear back on them. He figured it would be a couple days to let everything shake itself out over there. He did say that he had gotten one back for $80/room/night but was hoping to get something closer to downtown and maybe a little cheaper.

When I spoke to him last night, he said the 1st bus had 48 people on it and the 2nd bus had 30-some. What happend? Anyways, I'm on it with my fiance. Anyone have suggestions on how much luggage we can bring for 2 people and what "extras" are allowed?

Whats the cheapest way to get a flight to Denver now? I looked last Wednesday and tickets were $204 from MSP to DEN. Now, they're pushing $400+....Anyone have any suggestions? How good is Priceline.com for airfares?

Mine is 3 weeks deep. I started the playoff beard, just trimmed it down to the 'stache on Sunday. It's quite a sight. I'd fit right in in a NYC alley.