sagard

Not that it matters that much, but I think the "non-rival" teams are in a rotation as follows: '01-'02 - Home and Away '02-'03 - Home '03-'04 - Home and Away '04-'05 - Away '05-'06 - Home and Away etc.... So every other year we get both Gophs/Sioux series. On the "shaft" years, the teams will need to make up for it with post season tilts.

Though a shutout is nice, the night for Briggs to come up big was Friday. He didn't. As many previous posters indicated, it's long season. I didn't panic when last year when the Gophs were 2-7-1 and had been lit up badly by UND, UMD and Maine, you all shouldn't now.

Kind of pathetic if you ask me. Gloating in October is pointless.

Had to miss much of the game, but it sure seemed like the main differences were the Gophers inability to put the game away and of course Parise playing far superior to Briggs. Should be another good one tomorrow. If the '02 Gophs played under this years rules, they would score 10 a game. Rediculous.

I think you are referring to when Lucia said he likes to use Michigan as a measuring stick, knowing if you can beat or skate with Michigan you can beat or skate with anyone. The games the Gophers play with Michigan are always high intensity and when it is in the tourney the stakes are obviously high. I thoroughly despise that program. A Michigan/UW matchup is the only time I ever consider rooting for UW, then I slap myself and reluctantly pull for Michigan. That said everyone who watches the games (Lucia included) knows that Gophers/Sioux matchup is currently as good as it gets.

I think you have a good comparison between the matchup in '01-'02 and this year, with the roles reversed of course. While the Sioux did play the Gophers tough in many of the games, the Gophers did win 6 of 7. If the Gophers are to win a game from the Sioux this year, I want it to be @ Mariucci or in Ohio. Enjoy the games!

I seriously had concerns over the Gophers defense and goaltending this season. We will find out a lot more about where these freshmen are at this weekend when they face a real forecheck for the first time. The new concern is the slow start of the forwards outside of Ryan P. Guyer and Barry have to start contributing goals not just solid play if the Gophers are going to have a decent season. If the Gophers manage a point this weekend I'll be thrilled. Unless of course they get it Friday, then I'll want more.

Wow. You all sure have lofty educational standards! If only you could get everyone to do it!

You all are jumping the gun. Before I make my annual split prediction, I need to see (hear) the Gophers beat another likely NCAA bubble team in UMass.

That is a very impressive start to a season. Flat out amazing. Those who picked UMD to win the league, must have forgotten about a team that beat them five times last year.

If they are as well prepared as they were in Omaha last year (that 4-0 game wasn't as close as it sounds - not to mention they destroyed UW the next night), be very happy with a split.

Don't forget Scott Swanson to get Brian Swanson! Nah, only kidding here. If Lucia somehow sneaks Kessel out from underneath Bucky and Michi, I will be shocked and impressed. Three hours until I see the new kids take on the mighty University of Calgary! I so need something to take my mind of the $%!&@ Yankees.

I think Lucia and staff clearly wanted to break the border and believed GP was just the type of character player to do that. The Gophers have always had high skill players, but have rarely had a physically imposing goal scorer that could and would camp in front of the opponents net. I think Lucia knew the Gophers were somewhat soft and knew GP could change that. As for getting a 15-20 goals per season player, they did probably get lucky. As for helping land Ryan, it was gravy. Lucia was attempting to build a national championship team for the '01-'02 season. He certainly would not have picked up a player for '00-'01 that might help him land a player that might be a star for '03-'04. I guess you never know, many people claimed that hiring Motzco was part of the plan to get Vanek.

Keep in mind I said nothing about quality! Just superior depth. Briggs would have posted a 0.910 with your crew of defense! Having three goalies is a great thing for a program. Having four goalies when others have 1.5 at best is gluttonous. The '99-'00 Gophers I honestly feel failed to make the NCAA's due to not having an adequate replacement for Hauser and Samargia. Of course, in '01-'02 the Gophers leveraged all three of their goalies and at times needed them all. As for being a fan of the Sioux, if the Gophers were eliminated and no obnoxious Sioux newbie got under my skin that week, I'd be on board. All it will take is another Jason Blake to come along and I'll go "Happy" on you all!

From a distance it doesn't look to me like he ever would have had a chance at being the number one goalie at UND. Parise siezed the oppurtunity last year, I'm sure he is hoping to get a shot at the number one spot when Reichmuth moves on. He may never earn it at UMD either, but I honestly don't think he would have ever been given a shot at UND. UND is simply too deep at goalie at the moment.

Funny thing is that I picked up that arguement on POI. Specifically it was used on the '02-'03 DU team that to me was the obvious pre-season favorite. Then last year the same persuasive and correct arguement applied to the Gophers losing both DeMarchi and Martin, but many refused to acknowledge how important experienced two way defensemen are.

I don't think any Sioux fan should fret about this season. Offense is far easier to replace than experienced defense. There is no way the Sioux will finish lower than second in the WCHA this year. As for the playoffs, I'm sure the Sioux will be one of the top 4 seeds in the NCAAs as well. You can probably expect a slight decline in scoring, but that just will make more entertaining weekends for you all maybe a couple more ties. There will not be a dramatic fall from last year.

North Dakota Gophers?

After reading that article it certainly is clear why Ottawa signed him. He really seams to be their best offensive prospect.

I'm very pleased. Suter logged a lot of ice for them and I don't think I saw him get caught out of position more than two or three times. This further separates UND and UMD from the pack in my opinion.

I don't think UW is ready to take themselves to either UMD or UND's level. You all saw them play their absolute best last season and I don't think they will get any points in either GF or Duluth. My groups would be: UND UMD UW UM CC DU SCSU AA MTU MSU I'd be shocked if any of the bottom four get home ice, or if either UND or UMD finish out of the top three.

1. UND - Guys will step up and score. Defense is second to none. 2. UMD - Very close at the top. UND would be wise not to need another season sweep if they want to win the WCHA. 3. UW - These clowns are a lot more likely to underachieve than either UND or UMD. 4. UM - Could fall out of home ice if injuries occur. 5. DU - Nice group but like the U of M needs to find a way to replace Berkhoel, Caldwell, Dora, James, Kieth, Bull and Laatsch. I think DU is the most likely of my home ice teams to falter. 6. CC - They will have to win a lot of 2-1, 3-2 games to gain home ice. 7. SCSU - This might be generous. 8. AA - I really have no idea but it appeared that King, Glencross, and Fournier were their best players at the Final Five, none of whom return. 9. MSU - Should play in several entertaining games again. 10. MTU - If the existing proposal to enforce the rules occurs they have no chance. My picks from last year, some good some bad. Here is the thread. 1. UND - Glorious return to the top. Claims the McNaughton anchor. 2. UM - Fail to capture the "ultimate", settle for another NC. 3. DU - Down again, up again, down, guessing an "up" season. 4. UMD - Scoring questions. 5. CC - Probably the only team in top five that could lose home ice. 6. SCSU - I can hear the whining about Dahl already. 7. MSU - More of their ties turn to losses than wins. 8. UW - I just love putting them down here. 9. MTU - Still better than AA. 10. AA - Three wins.

Back to topic from the Star Tribune: "Thomas Vanek, the Gophers hockey forward who was drafted No. 1 by the Buffalo Sabres in 2003, is definitely going to sign with the NHL team and not return to school. Most everything is agreed upon in the contract except for a couple of minor points. Vanek will get a $1 million signing bonus. The one reason Buffalo will sign Vanek, despite the fact that a lockout to start the 2004-05 season is likely because of labor problems, is that Vanek has the option of signing with a Western Hockey League team. If he does, Buffalo would lose his rights. At this point, Vanek has indicated to the Gophers hockey coaches that he plans to sign." Of course it is Sid so you never know, but it seems this will turn out as expected.

While I tend to believe the Gophers are no different than UND with it's policies reguarding dismissing players, Lucia was a lot better at manipulating perceptions than Blais. After all Blais didn't really seem to give a hoot what others thought. I don't think the Taylor's signing had anything to do with "writing on the wall." Lucia was publicly lamenting his departure on the radio and I think he would have played every game. With Taylor, he was a 6th round pick and most 6th round picks are lucky to get a chance to prove themselves to an organization. Let alone get a signing bonus. You can always go to college, taking your chance at the pros is typically a one shot deal. Just look at the BB situation for a comparison with a substantially more proven player. There are plenty of players who have left the Gophers that are better examples.