Upper Deck

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).

I hope you're right. There are many Gopher fans in the area - but there are also a lot of Sioux fans, too. Regardless, it would be very "rodent-like" to swoop in to be the hero and open BSU's barn after not playing them for quite a while. Heck, I think Lucia called it a "charity event" or the like the last time they were here. If it isn't the Sioux, it should be Duluth or Mankato who've scheduled BSU (both their barn and the Glas) the past few years. Heck, CC, Denver and Tech have played BSU more often than our beloved Gophers.

Hak has been very vocal of his support. I think UND should be the team to open this arena vs BSU - they've been very supportive with the home-and-home.

Pro's: Keeps a solid D1 hockey program from folding Without a conference, BSU will fold their program in a couple of years. BSU will build a good, competitive program and should create some good rivalries in the region. Plus, there's a hard-fought arena that will finally be built this Spring. Con's: Depending on the number of teams accepted, it will cause some scheduling rifts.

I've been told it's Matturi (sp) the athletic director, that makes these decisions, not tDon. I too, think it's a joke they don't travel for non-conference games.

I'm considering ponying up to watch this series on the Sioux Xtra video feed. Does this work pretty well, fairly well or not well? Or, is it better to listen to TH and watch the SCSU/MN series (muted . . . )

I vote Dave's 1 and Keith's 1A. I like Dave's slightly more, but the owner of Keith's is quite involved in Bemidji youth hockey. The Green Mill is a nice place to visit May - September for taking the boat or pontoon too. That's really the only place in Bemidji (Lake Bemidji) to do so. What a waste. With the event center, they're hopefully be some further development along the south shore. There's also talk of revitalizing the downtown area and building some docks by Paul and Babe. Regarding progress of the BREC . . . well . . . that's been the $64,000 question for the past couple of years. After numerous miles of red tape and heated debates and elections, everything seems to be in place. The city is waiting for a signed lease from BSU, who's waiting for the MN colleges legal department to approve. I think BSU's also a little tentative to sign until they get acceptance from the WCHA (this July or so). All-in-all, I think it's moving forward and they should be bonding in a week or so. I hope BSU knows more than the rest of us regarding acceptance into the WCHA. This will be all for not if they don't get accepted. How could a hockey team play without a conference and just a "scheduling agreement" with the WCHA. Next year is the final year of the CHA. I could be slightly mistaken on a few of the details above, but I think I'm pretty-much on par.

From Pisek North, South or Central?

Correct. It's a dive, but when it's full with a rivalry game, like tonight, it's really fun being there. That being said, I won't miss it come January 2011. I hope the Sioux come out flying and hard hitting with a 5-2 win (however, I think they'll squeak by 3-2. Let's get back on track Sioux!

I'm usually a Sioux optimist, but I'd say BSU wins here in Bemidji Friday 3-2 and Sioux win 2-1 Saturday. BSU is always pumped to play WCHA teams, but especially the Sioux and MN teams.