Siouxman

September 1 at 9 am

Thank you. Tickets purchased. We have never missed a UND @ UNO series. They have been great times

We are talking about the 2016-2017 season. That is four years since UM played in a tough league (WCHA) and three years since that 2014 run. I am guessing that less than 1/4 of this year's team played in the 2014 playoffs and almost none played in the WCHA against the likes of DU, UND, WI (when they were a bit better). Unfortunately for UM, a steady diet of Wisconsin doldrums, MSU, PSU in its infancy, and OSU has done little to develop teams facing stiff competition. In its three years of existence, the B1G has not been a top tier league, based on its record. Yes, UM has players with skill, but it takes playing against tough competition and learning how to dig deep. commit your all, and battle against other top tier teams. In watching MN last year there were some obvious issues: forwards unwilling to go along the boards and battle for the puck and come away with it (not everyone can be standing and waiting for the pass), inconsistent defense (especially against a weakened schedule), and a coaching situation that seems to have lost its way. UM has some top end players, but the new players coming in are taking a big step up in college, and have to learn how to win in college. Unfortunately for UM, the B1G has not been a situation in its existence so far for that to happen.

Until Minnesota learns how to play defense and beat the Mankato, Bemidji, UMD teams on a regular basis, they will not be a factor in the NCAA's. That is true even if they win the B1G like last year. The B1G switch to home team hosts for the B1G playoffs may help them get the autobid into the NCAA's but they have to beat teams that mean something. That takes significantly better team play than they had last year. We will see how this year unfolds, but what have they got this year that they didn't have last year? Until I see some improvement from them, they do not make my top ten list at all.

Um.....I think you missed it. He has the entire B1G in the top ten, pure sarcasm.

He was excellent. It was great to watch someone who didn't feel like he had to yell, scream, or make violent body motions to talk. Blessings to the family.

Tickets in hand. Let the games begin.

I hereby vow not to subsidize the UM Athletic Department. Just like Dagies, I will not go unless I acquire tickets without buying the other games.

On the surface I agree with you, but this is the B1G we are talking about.

Actually, since their coaching change, Mankato has been greatly improved (just ask Minnesota). I just don't think the NCHC is going to have much leverage with ASU. UND already sells out most games so they don't add much income and would likely add travel expense. But you may be right. A while ago I would have agreed with you that PSU was a good example, but now I am beginning to wonder if their bubble has burst. They have hit a plateau. The experience of the Big 6 makes me wonder about giving up traditional rivals and the impact, although adding ASU obviously would not have that impact. Time will tell, but do we need to wait a short time or a long time to find out?

I am sorry, but I simply fail to understand the attraction of ASU hockey. I can't see how it could ever be anything other than a niche sport at ASU. If someone can provide me with some rational reasons why adding ASU would be good for the NCHC I am willing to reconsider. But simply basing it on the hope that other PAC 12 schools will add hockey doesn't quite do it. Hockey would be nothing but a minor unsupported niche sport at most of those schools as well. I personally would not mind seeing Bowling Green and Mankato in the NCHC. Both of them have some history with NCHC teams so it isn't like they are something new from scratch. I don't think that it is good for the WCHA to lose either one or both of those schools.

Tambeleavy with 1/2 and done.

He was able to play prior to the end of the year, so he can't get a medical redshirt.

What a terrible quandary, more than one good goalie.

Why thank you. I feel so overwhelmed by your confidence.

At the Frozen Four last year a UMD fan, college student age, came up to us and got all over us about how racist our Fighting Sioux gear was, the most racist thing he has ever seen. As soon as we challenged him about racism and UMD fans doing their "Smallpox Blankets" and "We Stole Your Land" cheers,he quickly changed the subject and asked if the Red River was flowing north yet this year (2015). I said it flows north during the odd months and south during the even months. He accepted that and moved on.

So, tonight I am watching the Nashville Predators - San Jose Sharks game on TV, but in my mind I am replaying Quinnipiac-UND and really enjoying my mind game.

Which ones?

Is there are chance he never made the plane in Tampa?

Oh Puke!

If I look at it from the point of during the college hockey season I will watch two other college teams play even if they are irrelevant to the national tournament. Why? Because I love to watch hockey. I'm sure there are people who are the same way about football. And if they will spend the money to watch football, more games to watch will be added.

I've wondered about QU a bit myself after that championship game. I keep thinking that it is possible they had an off game (UND has had a couple of those at the Frozen Four) but it is also possible they didn't and UND just had an awesome game. I don't think a healthy Anas could have turned that game around completely for QU. I will not overly judge QU based on seeing them just two games, because if someone judged UND based on the Denver FF game they would have come away with some doubts. However, when looking at the NCAA tournament in total, UND was clearly the best team around, at that time. And I am still enjoying it.

Correct. I was thinking Chorney but typed Chadwick. Just typing the names brought back memories.

Gino Gasparini era, 1980 NCAA championship. The Sports Illustrated article called UND's defense "The Trees of North Dakota" because all six were big and tall, and I believe that all six wound up going pro eventually. Craig Ludwig was the leader of the pack and it included Brad Cox, Mickey Volcan, Howard Walker, Paul Chadwick, and Travis Dunn. Ludwig had a long distinguished NHL career with the Montreal Canadians and the Dallas Stars, including a couple of Stanley Cups.

Beating them would really help the Gopher pairwise. Of course, losing to them would be deadly.