Siouxman

Also picking up southpaw, so we would really be stretched to fit two more adults. The rumble seat is for little kids only.

Does that include Hoggsbreath on Saturday morning at 11 am?

I can confirm this unconfirmed rumor, provided I confirm said banner gets packed in the vehicle.

FYP

There is an unconfirmed rumor that the UND banner that was present at the Old Mattress Factory in Omaha during the infamous blizzard/outdoor game series will make an appearance at Hoggsbreath.

Just a little suggestion. Park yourself along the major highway between Grand Forks and an away Sioux game and watch the traffic. You will be amazed at the parade of vehicles traveling to the game, displaying UND stuff. It doesn't matter about location. In the WCHA days we traveled to every arena except Sullivan Arena in Anchorage (we hadn't accomplished that one yet). At the games we saw many of the same people we see at other away and home games. It doesn't matter if it is Houghton, Denver, St. Paul, or Omaha. Yes, local Sioux fans will help the attendance but don't sell short the traveling fan base. It is large. And we live two hours away from Grand Forks.

An earlier start to the Sunday game (if necessary, of course) would definitely be a positive. We got home about midnight, and our son who lives another hour away got home at 1:00 am.

Mr. and Mrs. Siouxman have punched their ticket to Hoggsbreath. It would be nice if the Fighting Sioux hockey team chose to join the parade to the Twin Cities.

Montpetit had a huge game, 2G, 1A The Denver D-man pretty much left his jock on the ice when Montpetit faked a slapshot and then skated around him for the GWG.

Czuczman is kind of a Brad Eidsness situation. He had a year of eligibility left, but graduates this spring. He signed with the Islanders. Eidsness did the opposite and stayed at UND another year after he graduated with his bachelor's degree.

Watching them in person in Grand Rapids I came to respect their tenacity, heart, and total team mentality last year. They played with complete commitment.

If Archibald stays around for his senior year, with a better supporting cast, he could have a monster year. Like he hasn't had one this year!

Please read carefully. At no time did I say the Sioux are definitely going to win. The poster commented that UND will face a different Broncos team. I posted several reasons that the Broncos will see a different UND team. I also pointed out that there is no reason for the players to overlook this weekend's series in order to get to the first round of the playoffs. I expect it to be a tough series, but I am reasonably optimistic the good guys will win because of the factors that I mentioned. I was also trying to counter a post that some or many would read as flame throwing from an opposing fan, in a non-confrontational manner, and maybe encourage some good discussion instead of the frequent meaningless sniping.

Darn. I knew I forgot something.

We will credit your basic lack of understanding and familiarity with Fighting Sioux hockey due to your team coming into the NCHC from a different league than the WCHA. First of all, Dave Hakstol coached UND hockey teams are significantly different after Christmas than before Christmas. The teams generally have the highest or one of the highest winning percentages in the NCAA after Christmas. The team the Broncos will face will be a much better team than the one that swept them in Kalamazoo. Second, goalie Gothberg has lost exactly one game since the month of November. Third, the Broncos will be facing the highest scoring defensive corps in the nation. Fourth, at this time of year UND hockey teams do not overlook any game. They are playing for the Penrose Cup, which can only be decided this weekend, not next weekend. Fifth, UND is playing for pairwise position, which means absolutely every single game has an impact on NCAA tournament positioning. Every game is the most important game at that time. Sixth, the Broncos will be playing before a sellout crowd of more than 11,600 Fighting Sioux fans that create a hostile environment. Seventh, unlike the Broncos, UND does not need to look ahead and focus on winning the NCHC playoffs to make the NCAA tournament. We hope that you will come away from this weekend's game with a much better understanding of the tradition behind UND Fighting Sioux hockey, and the error of your thinking. Welcome to the board, We appreciate opposing fans coming aboard for serious discussion.

That is quite possible, but there is no way to say one way or the other. Probably the most you could say is that each of the four would be beat up more than they are,

New USCHO poll is out. Four of the top nine teams are former WCHA teams. That would have been a nightmare for the selection committee.

I think it is called a herd mentality.

The one thought that keeps sticking in my mind is that this Sioux team is now playing with almost the same passion and commitment that Yale showed in the regional at Grand Rapids last spring. Not quite to that level but getting close.

The statistic that is hard to see is that Rocco's scoring has jumped since Pattyn was added to that line. Somehow he brings a dimension that opens up opportunities for Rocco.

We will be traveling from the Mpls. Hilton to Hoggsbreath, picking up southpaw at his hotel by the Target Center. If she would take the light rail to up by the Target Center we could certainly bring her along. We don't know southpaw's full schedule yet, but it may even be possible for us to pick her up if we take the scenic route through Bloomington.

Man o man.............look at all those empty seats

It is better than a meaningless lacrosse game.

I am not so sure about that. If Kessel didn't fit into the mold of a Fighting Sioux and play for the team, he might not have been around as long as he was at MN. Off the top of my head I cannot recall a Sioux player that stuck around for at least two years that did not put the team and Fighting Sioux first. On the other hand, I can name several Gophers quite easily that in interviews talked about me and I, rather we and the team.

For those who are Hilton Honors members: Hilton is having a promotion that includes the Mpls. Hilton (7 blocks from the Target Center). For the same price as through the NCHC website, you can make a reservation at the Hilton that includes free breakfast and free WIFI. If you don't want those, you can get a king room for $109/night. The NCHC rate is $129/night. Plus tax of course.