Siouxman

I do not disagree at all with the importance of home playoff games. It is just that for a few years the odds of UND being able to host an NCAA playoff game (not WCHA, not Big Sky) seem pretty remote. That gives some time to thoroughly sort through this mess created by the NCAA. There do not appear to be any significant reasons to get all wound up at this particular point in time about not hosting a home NCAA playoff game. As the competitivness of UND's non-hockey teams improves to the point where hosting an NCAA tournament game becomes a reasonable possibility, then it becomes more critical from a timing perspective. Honestly, we are not there right now.

WCHA playoffs are not NCAA tournament games. Big Sky playoffs are not NCAA tournament games. Those games would not be impacted by the NCAA sanctions.

We are that far into the transition already? I thought that maybe we were three years in with two to go. If we only have one year left, then it is a little more urgent.

It is too early for anyone to get too excited about anything. How many more years before UND is even eligible for a playoff game in anything other than hockey? We have at least a couple of years to see how this thing plays out. In that time period the legislature may change their mind because of the situation, or we may get to the point where the NCAA says okay, you have enough approvals and you are off the list. During that time, the hockey teams can't wear the logo in the NCAA tournament. Not a huge thing as the fans will still wear it. We can't host an NCAA tournament hockey game, but we essentially can't now because they are off-campus. There is time to work things out and let the dust settle one way or the other. I would like to see the quality of the teams improve a bit before we worry about scheduling MN, WI, and IA in football or basketball. I do not see much positive in getting hammered in any game, and it doesn't help the ego or reputation getting hammered by the Gophers with the current state of their teams. If it doesn't work out within a couple years, the legislature can change the law, the nickname can go away, and we really haven't lost that much in the mean time. Or, we can convince the NCAA that we are right, win a lawsuit against them, and then move forward with everything and the Fighting Sioux tradition. Let's not get too worked up today about what might happen three, four, or five years from now.

I also believe the chances are good that Hextall will be back. After he returned from his injury this season he was a changed player. There was much less antagonizing the opponents and more emphasis on his play. I believe that his play level stepped forward, until the Final Five. He seemed to take a step back to his old self at the Final Five, taking some really unnecessary penalties. But in the regionals he stepped up again. While I believe that he improved tremendously in the last two months or so, that is a relatively short period of time. I believe that he could increase his stock by returning for one more year and focusing on the things he did to improve late in the season, as well as grow stronger. I tended to like Hextall's ability to get the opponent's mind off his game, but there were too many times he took it too far and it hurt the team. The one thing that leaves me thinking he could easily stay is the attitude put out by former players that their college days were the best, and those that left early wish in some instances that they had stayed in college. While there is money to be made by turning pro, it also takes a lot of the fun out of the game and it is all business, a job. We've seen that the Fighting Sioux tradition and honor run very strongly through the players. While each person needs to look at their own situation, I think the words of past Fighting Sioux carry some weight. We also have the example that was set by the senior class of 2011. So I am hopeful.

I would venture to guess that they do scout the other teams and try to exploit their weaknesses. You don't publicly tell the world and the media your strategies and what you are planning to do when you are in a competition.

In spite of DrunkHockeyGuy and in spite of some profane UMD t-shirts that were very anti-UND at the X, the UND crowd got behind UMD tonight and helped cheer them on to victory. Congratulations Bulldogs on your first national championship and a very entertaining game. Glad to see you win, if it wasn't the Sioux.

Will be in green to help with the "green out"

2006 in Milwaukee - As soon as the championship game was over (WI beat BC) my sons and I scooted out a door to get away from the WI fans. I am wearing my UND leather coat with the name and logo on it. A TV camera and microphone are suddenly in my face and a guy asking me how I enjoyed the game. I replied that it was rather boring. His comment was" Aren't you a Wisonsin fan?" To which I said "Does this look like a Wisconsin jacket?" He just said "oh" and moved on.

How about a future story? The year is 2016 and the United States has just elected the first woman as President, Susan Johnson. A few days after the election the president-elect calls her father and says, 'So, Dad, I assume you will be coming to my inauguration?' 'I don't think so. It's a 30-hour drive, your mother isn't as young as she used to be, and my arthritis is acting up again.' 'Don't worry about it Dad, I'll send Air Force One to pick you up and take you home. And a limousine will pick you up at your door.' 'I don't know. Everybody will be so fancy. What would your mother wear?' 'Oh Dad,' replies Susan, 'I'll make sure she has a wonderful gown custom-made by the best designer in Washington.' 'Honey,' Dad complains, 'you know I can't eat those rich foods you and your friends like to eat.' The President-to-be responds, 'Don't worry Dad. The entire affair is going to be handled by the best caterer in Washington, I'll ensure your meals are salt free. Dad, I really want you to come.' So Dad reluctantly agrees and on January 20, 2017, Susan Johnson is being sworn in as President of the United States. In the front row sits the new president's Dad and Mom. Dad noticing the senator sitting next to him leans over and whispers, 'You see that woman over there with her hand on the Bible, becoming President of the United States.' The Senator whispers back, 'Yes I do.' Dad, beaming with pride, says proudly, 'Her brother played hockey at UND for the Fighting Sioux!'

I doubt they will let you. On that facade is their screen that goes around the arena. You would have to cover up the screen.

And just why not? Isn't it April Fool's Day, and not April 1st Fool's Day??

Mr. and Mrs. Siouxman, Morley, and Southpaw will be there.

Teams on ice for warmups.

Gregoire

I guess I wouldn't stoop to comments like this unless I absolutely knew that Mike Chambers didn't botch the interview and put words in Jesse Martin's mouth. Let's keep it classy toward Jesse and his family. It is a tough situation.

I cannot believe that Gwozdecky is happy about the article. His team needs to focus, and not have a distraction. As for Hakstol not contacting Jesse Martin, I wonder if there isn't some type of NCAA rule that governs a coach or his staff contacting a player from another team, injured or not. Any such rule may seem idiotic in a situation like this, but the NCAA does their own thing and you never know what they may think. I appreciate the support of DU fans commenting on the article. One last thought here: Although I have not appreciated the antics of Gwozdecky in the past, I found his comments at this year's WCHA Final Five to be classy and full of character. To the point of where I upgraded my opinion of him. I still have him on double secret probation and any future incidents like walking across the ice during a hockey game, dancing on the dasher, or coaching from the press box after he has been ejected warrant suspension and will again lower my opinion. As for Chambers, I really appreciated his article on the interview with Brad Malone. I thanked him for it. But then he follows that up with this garbage for journalism?

What Faison could/should have done is mention the scheduling issues (if they exist and I am not saying whether they do or not) and prove the scheduling issues. He then could have countered that by speaking of the tradition, what the name means to alumni, athletes, and fans, and then left it to the legislature to make their decision. Present both sides of the issue, honestly and straightforward and then get the hell out of the way.

Union gave Yale a good run this year. 5 of Yale's 6 losses were on the road. They were 6-5 on the road. I think Union can beat them and I believe that top line of UMD will drive them crazy. It depends upon whether UMD's defense and goaltending can keep Yale off the scoreboard or at least slow them down. I believe that Yale will have some difficulty coming out of the region, but so could the Sioux with Denver.

The odds of everyone finishing the game are greatly increased when he is not on the ice.

Mrs. Siouxman will be there. . . . . . Mr. Siouxman will be working.

Firebones - specialize in smoked and barbecued meats. I believe it is a regional chain. Ate at one in Rock Hill, SC.

MafiaMan, Thanks again for setting up the SiouxSports.com brunch. We had a great time, good food, lots of stories, as usual.

I saw MEg in her Michigan Tech jersey and saw a Princeton jersey. Also saw MN Wild, Montreal Canadians, and MN Northstars pro jerseys. Also sat in front of two jerk Sioux fans who would not shut up and constantly trashed UAA, their hockey team, and the entire state for the whole game.

Mr. and Mrs. Siouxman will be there, party of 2. I am inviting a few others.