sagard

Compare him with Kessel. They are both in what would normally be their senior year of high school, both in the WCHA, both expected to be VERY high draft picks.

The whole sequence was bad for the Gophers seniors. Hirsch misses an empty net (hits post). Guyer turns it over at the point instead of either shooting or sending it down low. Harrington backs all the way into Briggs belly flopping to completely negate himself. Gophs paid the price for taking way too many penalties in the third. As I suspected after the Alberta game, other teams will be #1 most of the season. The Gophs have a long way to go.

It's just Harrington getting on another guys highlight reel. Disappointing to say the least.

I'm with you on everything else you said, but UND has had PLENTY of offensive defensemen in the past. Curtis Murphy and Travis Roche were absolutely in the elite of offensive D-Man. Guys like Naumenko and Williamson had some outstanding seasons as well. I've said it plenty of times. There are many ways to win hockey games. Like all good teams UND and the Gophers will play to their current strengths. Last year for UND it meant bruising defensemen decking anything that dared enter the attacking zone, for the Gophers often it meant playing keepaway from the oppositions forwards with smooth puck reversals behind their own net.

I agree with the bias, but after the last four years it's really just eastern wishful thinking.

You all need to lighten up on Wodon. So he failed to grasp the greatness of the UND recruits, but his overall assessment of UND corresponds to many opinion polls. He is an EZAC guy so I'm sure that is where his passion is, but he does do fantastic articles about PWR as the season closes. I much prefer his comments too any of the NHL guys who obviously feel they are "stuck" doing the college games. He also corresponds with the fans on message boards so how bad can he be?

I doubt there is that much difference between Alberta and Manitoba. Alberta plays MSU and SCSU on this trip so we can get a little comparison from those games.

Yep I went down to the arena. Briggs looked fine, didn't look like he had much of a chance on the goal he gave up, only had to make one tough save. Frazee made a few nice stops but probably should have stopped one that he let in. The "Golden Bears" really made them work which was nice. Most of these exhibitions seem to be a waste, but this was OK. Maybe it was just because I hadn't seen a game in so long. Kessel was doing some stuff that he won't get away with in WCHA play and he will need to move the puck to teammates a little quicker in the neutral zone. He seemed to try to do a little too much on his own at times, but I highly doubt that will last with last with Irmen on his wing. His anticipation and hands are dare I say Parise like, though I realize he doesn't back check and isn't an all around player. Wheeler is strikingly similar to Tallackson in appearance. Just flat out weird. His effort was strong all game long and he was paired with Guyer. The Gophers have a long ways to go and I would guess someone else will be number one most of the year, just hopefully not at the end.

It was a pretty good game. The goalies weren't really good or bad, Frazee probably would have like the 3rd one back. Alberta was very disciplined and made the exhibition more fun then recent Europe teams or the U18 team. They certainly made the Gophers work for everything they got. The three goals by Gophers freshmen were all from basically the side of the cage tap ins, so I'm catiously optimistic the Gophers will be actually try for rebounds on offense this year. Nice to see hockey!

I know it is goes against much logic, but Parise could be better right now. There is little doubt who the best player at the '04 WJC, and last year Parise played against better competition. I would love it if some college newcomers like BB, TV and Parise out point Crosby for a while.

That is an awesome photo. I think the Devils will be very easy to root for in the coming years.

I agree about UW. They are my pick on USCHO to win the WCHA. They have an easy WCHA schedule and their style leaves them very unlikely to squander the games they should win. I'd still love to see the Gophers draw them in the semis at Milwaukee or in the regional in Green Bay. I think they can be outgunned.

By seeing him play you've got more "cred" in evaluating Kessel then 95% of Sioux or Gophers fans who haven't had the chance yet. By all means rip away if it deserved, those of us with thick enough skin will be able to deal. I've only seen him in the Gophers exhibition and on TV, but I am very confident he is exactly what the Gophers needed for this season. There scoring was very thin once RP cooled off last season and they need some instant punch hopefully similar to adding Vanek in the fall of '03.

His "decision" was ripped and called "foolish" and "spur of the moment", but his actual play was held in the utmost respect. It would have been foolish not to. Vanek on the other hand...

Get past it. Your making this sight like POI in '02-'03. Not that you'll believe it, (I'm not sure I do) but many have said the Press Conference for Kessel was orchestrated by USA Hockey. Who knows for sure, but continual ragging on a seventeen year old seems somewhat odd to me.

Calling today's republicans conservatives is an insult to conservatives. If there is are two organizations that can go toe-to-toe in ineptitude with the NCAA it is both our favorite two parties. My whole point on this thread is to pay attention to what the UND pres. is fighting for. It just seems too plausible to me that the NCAA may offer a mea culpa for insulting UND in exchange for a peaceful retiring of the name and logo.

I realize that, but the NCAA has proven time and again they are willing change the rules as they see fit. Is the the fight from the UND Administration coming because it was unfairly labelled "hostile and abusive" or is because they want to keep the name? The NCAA has left the door open for one last statement on the issue when UND gets it's last appeal.

So what is going to happen if the NCAA comes up with a statement like the following: "At this time the NCAA has found no instances at UND where the use of the "Fighting Sioux" nickname was creating a hostile or abusive environment. However, UND will remain on the list of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships. This is due to a lack of unamimous support from the five federally recognized tribes with a presence in the state."

I'd find it a lot easier to like and follow the Wild if they could get anywhere near that type of local coverage.

That sentiment doesn't go both ways at all does it? Finley like almost all 1st round NHL picks will do very well in college. Hopefully it will take him a year to adjust, but I doubt it. Players coming into schools like UND usually seem ready to go from the outset.

As long as he continues to award the trophy for mid-season excellence, congratulations are in order.

I would be surprised if it turns out that Maine doesn't have one of the top two classes in the East.

Both teams have to be incredibly pleased with the players they are bringing in. UND has to replace the defensive core that anchored the last two seasons success. The Gophers needed to add the offense that can get them back to the top THIS year. From my view both have met their needs, and picked up some other major additions, ie (Toews, Frazee).

It seems like the younger guys who are drafted hightly get the benefit of the doubt vs. older players who may or may not ever get a shot. (Pohl, Senja, Roche, etc...)

How is it that Zajac didn't start college in '03-'04? Seems like he had to have been ready enough for some forward thinking college to talk him into playing.