sagard

Come on DISHMAN. We don't like people popping off on POI, don't do it here. USCHO is where it's all welcome. You usually post quality stuff, and that would be welcomed here.

Nah. I got bored trying to trap DH in a violation so I decided to start some BS. Thanks PCM. Ironic how the coaches in MPLS, DLTH and GRFK could basically say the same thing about stupid penalties late in games.

PCM's summaries are way better than actually having to listen to the stuff. Is it just me or is Hakstol a lot more careful with what he says than the previous coach? I suppose that after the run Blais had he had earned the right to say whatever he wanted.

Does anyone want to hear what I think? Good luck this weekend!

Woog's problem with the Sioux couldn't be more obvious. He had been rolling for years doing it his way with the Gophers. From '88-'96 the Gophers were either at or near the top of the league and the Wooger had the most prestigous job. Then in '96-'97 Coach Blais raised the bar by winning the league, Final Five, and the NCAA's. A couple of bad recruiting choices and early departures and the Gophers were in serious decline. The Gophers AD at the time actually cared more about the 1500 empty seats (which were paid for) at Mariucci than the 30,000 (unsold) empty seats at the Metrodome and replaced Woog. Whether the Wooger will ever be asked or admits to a bias against the Sioux is irrevelant. He dislikes them because they forced a major change in his life. He has landed on his feet and can take his subtle or not so subtle shots at the guys who forced him out. You all don't have to like it one bit, I don't think you are intended to like it.

A couple of points: 1. UMD has played to more games than UND and UM. If the Gophers play 0.500 hockey against UW/AA/SCSU/MTU, UMD would need to win out to pass them, UND would need to win six of eight remaining. This tells me that if anyone is going to pass the Gophers it will be the Sioux, not UMD. I actually think the Gophers have a better chance of moving up than moving down, but either is possible, neither likely. 2. Dubay is always going to take shots at the Sioux. It is just too easy of a time killer for the radio. 3. The 1st round series between the WCHA 5 vs 6 will be a battle. I really don't want the Gophers participating in that.

Be careful Goon, you could easily be the one left "wondering why" at the end of the weekend.

The Canadians looked way more seasoned and will likely destroy the US/World. Now we will see just how powerful I am.

It is absolutely classic that Parise and Vanek are both slated to start. I wonder if they will actually skate together or if it will just be a cerimonial "start".

Reichmutt will need to take lessons from the MSU goalies @ the X if the Gophers are to take more than a point. The Gophers will make another charge this year, hopefully taking them to Columbus. I just don't think it will start this weekend. They are still banged up and don't have the margin for error to win when they are not at their best. Playing teams like UW or UND bring out their best, alas that is a week away. UMD is like the little brother that has grown up and can now beat you. It hurts to lose, but I still can't hate 'em.

So who would you root for if the Yankees were in fact playing the Gophers Hockey team?

I proclaimed UMD done after their performance at the X last year. That one came back to sting a little. I think the Gophers are still a weekend away from recovery.

The Gophs had a close game with them last year at Mariucci. I would expect the Sioux to sweep, but one of the games will likely be close to the end.

So would you rather let the rumors run rampant and have UND eventually get accused of covering up for one of their hockey players? Personally I prefer getting the information on the table as soon as possible. I suppose you prefer the way our two most recent presidents have handled their mistakes?

Does anyone else think BDB might root for the same guys I do?

You've hit most of the key points. I'm actually more worried about Harrington than Briggs. The guy gets a ton of ice time and seems to be regressing every weekend. Something keeps happening to the Gophers at the 1st intermission. They have come out and had terrible 2nd periods for weeks now. It cost them both games this weekend. Tonight I could live with, last night was brutal.

I miss watching my favorite team get absolutely blitzed in the third period and blow a three goal lead. I miss watching my team take a 19 game unbeaten string into GF and getting destroyed. On second thought, I like the new place a little better for now.

Wishing bad karma upon AA is in fact bad karma.

The Gophers have in fact taken a lot of stupid penalties this year. Watch your back around Tallackson and Harrington.

In my opinion Woog started getting the heat applied to him for where that game was played, not neccessarily the outcome. The "U" doesn't really care that much about hockey, just about money. By playing that series in Duluth the Wooger cost them 30,000 tickets sold @ $25 per ticket. It was not a coincidence that game was in fact the beginning of the end of an era. It hurt a lot at the time, but I've learned to live with it.

To me the obvious signs of coaching problems are typically off ice incidents. As far as I'm aware there hasn't been any trouble like that. Hakstol appears to have made the tough choice and surplanted Parise and Brandt with a freshmen netminder. That appears to be working. The other place that Hakstol gets high marks is that the recruiting does not appear to have fallen off. The Sioux are bringing in plenty of good players for next season. From an outsiders view who can only see the stats and when the Sioux play the Gophers, it looks like the problem with the Sioux this year is that nobody in that huge class three years ago has turned into a star. For the Sioux to have a successful post season run they will need to get great goaltending and grind out the low scoring battles.

You all need to remember CC had a great weekend against the Gophs, but they are certainly not unbeatable. The Gophers should have buried the puck several times in the last two minutes Saturday night and taken the win. If the Sioux get solid goaltending play they will have a chance both nights. Sterling will be testing the Sioux defensemen's discipline all weekend.