Siouxman

This could be fun. BC player collides with the ref during a stoppage in play. Ref was not amused at all.

I would rather ride with Gopher fans.

I will second that motion.

That dogpile 9.99 on a scale of 10. What could have been better? To see Hakstol on the top of it.

UND is 14-5-1 on the first day of a two game set and 10-8-2 on the second day. (I excluded exhibition games) I wonder if this is a characteristic of being a young team and not being able to handle the physical demands of back to back games. We know UND can play better than they did against Ferris State, but it just might be the physical nature of the game against an older and more mature Wisconsin team took a physical toll. If so, the extra day of rest at the Frozen Four might be very beneficial.

I have a lot of sympathy and respect for Ferris State. They had a great year, they played their style of game and really frustrated UND last night. They were simply on the wrong side of the hot goalie equation. And I am still in awe and trying to soak in all of the past two days. The end came so suddenly and quickly last night after the Sioux had struggled that it was stunning. I am still re-watching all of the video and commentary today to absorb it all.

Because of the age at which hockey players are drafted, it is an indication of perceived potential. Someone thinks that they may have the potential to develop and play in the NHL. Many drafted players never set foot in the NHL door. Very very few players are NHL ready when they are drafted. In college, many undrafted players can and will be better than drafted players. They may be early developers and may have already reached their full potential. Someone somewhere thinks a drafted player has a higher upside potential than an undrafted player. It does not mean the drafted player is better than an undrafted player at this point in time. One of the eastern teams, I think it may be Union, has 16 players that will reach 24 years of age in 2014. Few, if any, of these players are drafted. But they are physically and mentally more mature than most drafted players in the college ranks. They are possibly more talented than many drafted players, at this point in time. But these 24 year olds are likely at their peak and their hockey careers will be over after college (other than recreational leagues, fatman's leagues, or broomball leagues). If they have future potential they would likely be somewhere else in hockey by this age. It is nice to say how many draft picks some team has, but it does not indicated current talent. A college team of twenty-six draft picks, all 18 and 19 years old, is highly unlikely to win the NCAA tournament. It takes much more than just being drafted.

Wow. All I can say is that this team has greatly exceeded my expectations for this year. If I think back to the start of the season: (1) I did not think they would take second place in the NCHC season. (2) I did not expect them to make the NCAA tournament. (3) I did not expect them to win the NCAA regional and make it to the Frozen Four. But, after they made the NCAA tournament and I saw the bracket, I figured they had a chance to win it. I will admit that in the third period I kept waiting for Ferris State to win, but it did not happen. We are truly blessed to be fans of UND Fighting Sioux hockey. Plans are under discussion about the possibility of heading to Philly, although I am 0-4 going to watch UND in the Frozen Four. While this year is far from over, next year with this team could be special as well.

Ferris State's been a big first period team all year. They are about even with the opponents in the second and third periods. So the Sioux have withstood their usual big period. Now it is time to crank it up and score on them.

Yes. There are other Kelly green clothes in the crowd.

Sioux jersey behind the MN bench.

Would anybody in Denver notice?

And Minnesota as well. Over on Gopher Puck Live they are calling UND's win last night equivalent to their losing to Holy Cross. Man, they have no idea of the difference.

When will I learn that a snowflake ball does not make a good crystal ball. #bracketshottohell

Assuming Panz has his head on straight. He took a very ill advised roughing penalty against Miami that led to their first goal on Friday.

Could someone please develop a vaccine to prevent the spread of these types of threads??

Not cool. Two women in a car were shot and injured about 8 blocks from the Target Center at 2 am on Saturday night. This was to the NE of the Target Center on 2nd St. N between 5th and 6th ave. That is way too close to the Target Center and Pourhouse for comfort.

I bet having Don Adam in attendance would generate some stories! Some he probably wouldn't appreciate.

Just an FYI before the Irish hunt you down...Patty is a girl's name, and St. Patrick is a guy. The Irish get upset if you don't use St. Paddy. Doesn't bother me though, I'm German. Edit: I'm talking about the real Irish, not the Notre Dame kind.

You can quite probably scratch southpaw off the list of potential attendees unless he finds another ride.

Just carry a wad of cash so you can try to buy off the foot police after you bump into them.

I think I heard one time that it was somewhere near "Shagerlah". We are leaving Fergus Falls Friday morning

I had the same thought, but NCHC coaches have really pushed the rules on last changes and line changes after icings this year. In particular UNO, CC, and WMU really pushed it to the limit, causing confusion for the officials until it reached a point where no one really knew what was going on. Even if the coaches didn't get the line on the ice that they wanted, they succeeded in getting more rest for their line that was stuck on the ice. I think that was part of the issue that got Dean Blais tossed at the game at UND. I am hoping the officials really clamp down on these shenanigans this week.

To return to topic: keys of the game 1) UND depth - While UND does not have the top end scorers of Miami, the bulk of Miami's scoring is in the hands of a few players. Miami has just seven players in double digits for scoring. UND has fifteen players in double digits. UND has greater scoring depth but needs to hold down the Miami top end players 2) Defense - First, UND has a prolific scoring defense, one of the top in the nation. At least five of the six defensemen in the game have the ability to be playmakers and jump up into the play on odd man rushes or to carry the puck into the zone. Second, UND's defense plays better in their own zone than Miami's. If UND can control ice time in the offensive zone the Miami defense is likely to crumble and give up numerous scoring chances. If UND cannot keep Miami out of its own zone, then Miami's top end forwards might have a good day. 3) Goaltending - Gothberg has solidified the UND goaltending position, greatly reducing the number of soft goals given up. Miami goaltending is a puzzle, that may be tied to their defensive issues. McKay came into the season as a highly rated goaltender but has had a rough season. That could be a sign of poor defense, not being quite on top of his game, or a combination of the two. 4) Pattyn, Gaarder, and Rodwell - The reunification of this line might be a key for the Sioux. If this line plays at the level they did when put together at the middle of the season they could have a great NCHC tournament. Can't. Wait. For. Friday.

Actually, with a roll of duck tape and the right colored marker you can add your own moniker.