Upper Deck

BSU will definitely be a better team if in the WCHA. They're pretty competitive now (with CHA recruits). They should be able to recruit mid-to-lower level WCHA esque players (hopefully soon) and will have a new barn and solid coach to boot. For AH, I think it depends on which conference they get accepted into. I would think they'd be a weaker WCHA team because of geography and "nobody's heard of them." I would think CCHA may be a better fit recruit-wise.

That's a lot nicer than I would have guessed - looks like the Fargo Dome with end zone seating. Also home of the Hunstville Havoc, which I guess makes weekend ice time for UAH a challenge. $10 says the band in the virtual photos plays "Sweet Home Alabama."

Probably loves ABBA . . .

I haven't used B2 before. Looking at their website, they show "season passes" but I don't think I love JBSU hockey that much . . . can you by a "single games".

The recruit on Friday night looked like Trupp with shorter hair . . .

Fox College Sports cut out the Gwoz walk on their Saturday replay (airing now) "due to time constraints."

Looking for two tickets in lower level for the Saturday 2/28 game. Please email kyle13850@msn.com, PM or call 763-242-1329. Thanks!

I don't think that BSU will steal but a handful of upper-level teams' lower end recruits, but will give UMD, SCSU, MSU a good run run for their targets. They have a very good coach and eventually a new barn. They may also get some Canadians or Minnesotan's going to the CCHA and other eastern conferences (with the exception of the Michigans', BC's, etc). BSU is usually everyone's "first team" with a fairly close division of Sioux and Gopher fans (a few SCSU and UMD fans thrown in) for their WCHA team.

I've pressed that button about 20 times and nothin.

Is there a trick to getting the "full screen" on the Xtra? (Mac using Firefox)

I'm over the kid with a flag skating to center ice and the team of 18,000 bit. It was good marketing for a year or two. Now, they're well past due for putting a quality and entertaining product on the ice. It wouldn't hurt to draft or acquire a couple former WCHA players either.

They've made it to the playoffs . . . a couple times . . . I agree with you. I think they rest on the fact the they keep filling the seats and they're mostly treated with kid gloves.

I really don't follow the Wild that much because I don't like their style, or lack of, play and they don't have any college players. However, do you think they'll cut bait with a system that has brought them success both on the ice and revenue-wise because some fans are upset?

Some Minnesotan's don't like Gophers either.

We always joke that when you see him on the bench on TV during games, he looks like he's thinking "did I put the clothes in the dryer?"

Doesn't sound like Hak was very pleased with the refs . . . shocker.

You're welcome.

WI/Yane - I'm glad the Sioux scored and all . . . but you two need to put your posts on :30 second delays so us poor schmos listening on the internet catch up .

Try the UND website, click on the little speaker. When the Sioux Xtra appears, click the second one down (radio).

More fuel to the fire on the "classless" Sioux hockey program . . . and building . . . Star Tribune (as mentioned above)

Goon, your blog is on the front page of the Bemidji Pioneer website. Welcome to the big show

Here's an article from the Bemidji Pioneer on why they feel BSU is a good fit for the WCHA.

I hope work wasn't getting in the way The BREC will be 4,000 seats (the WCHA minimum). Not sure on the max capacity. I believe right now BSU has about 700-800 season tickets in a 2,400 seat arena. They get about 3,100 for the Sioux and slightly less for other WCHA games.

Oh I hear ya. I get to the East Grand suburbs (and the lovely spud wharehouses) in a buck forty-five (most years with decent weather). I'm accounting for the 15 minutes from the east side to the ramp - all that traffic . . .

Grand Forks to Bemidji has to be the easiest roadtrip their is in the WCHA. It takes us two hours from our house north of Bemidji to the UND campus parking ramp. I believe the new arena is 4,000 seats (the WCHA's minimum).