Siouxman

Have thought about it, but not decided as yet.

I believe that more tickets were sold than there are seats available. However, some people choose not to show up for one reason or another. The people with the season tickets next to us on the left haven't been to a game yet this year. The seats to the right have been used only one game so far. Someone was sitting in those two most of the time, but they were not the people with tickets for those seats. They just happen to choose those because they were open. The Ralph cannot simply sell all of the tickets that it wants to (i.e. 13,000 tickets for an 11,400 seat arena). I believe that the fire marshall has limits in place. It is a fact of life that all people are not rational, therefore don't have Sioux hockey as a priority in their life. Also, stuff happens and some people wind up with last minute conflicts. That is bound to happen with that many people. I remember hearing the announcement on Friday night that over 11,500 tickets had been sold, but there obviously weren't that many people there. So the problem isn't necessarily being able to sell tickets, it is getting everyone to show up. For whatever reason.

Ditto - Fishing and canoeing on the Missouri, hunting pheasants, grouse, antelope, deer, ducks, geese, etc. And Bismarck, even though I grew up in Beulah. But that is only because GF was removed from the equation.

I view a stick salute as a team thank you to the fans for their support. In that vein, I would like to see the team thank the fans: win, lose, or draw. If they only do it when they sweep, then it is a salute to themselves.

From the Capital Times in Madison, WI:

Trying to get Hotstove back on topic a bit, is anyone else taking note of what UAA and Michigan Tech did this weekend? UAA tied UNO and then beat them in a shootout. Michigan Tech beat Northern Michigan at Northern Michigan on Friday before barely losing Saturday. The lower part of the WCHA could be interesting this year and cause some problems for folks in the upper part.

Going into the weekend, I was thinking I would be happy if the Sioux came away with two points. And I am, but I think that they gave away a golden opportunity tonight, and it has nothing to do with Finley's oops. The team played with intensity, but not with intelligence. Way too many times the breakout passes went to guys who were covered and resulted in a turnover at center ice. We did not hit a hot goaltender. Elliot is a good goaltender, but with very few exceptions tonight the Sioux were taking shots from the perimeter, with no one in front of the goal. A goalie like Elliot will make those easy stops without being hot. The goals last night involved some crashing the net and guys in front. Didn't see much of that tonight. I thought that the defense played better tonight, with the exception of many breakouts. Lammy played very well, and I thought the goal could have been waived off because he was taken down. The only question was the Sioux player sliding on the ice knocking down the Badger player who slid into Lammy. I believe what we saw tonight was an early season game, characterized by inconsistency (not lack of effort). Something that we should expect for a while. This team shows a lot of promise, but it is going to take a while for it come together on a consistent basis The Sioux will face another big test, with a big goalie and a good team this next weekend.

For those with digital service from Charter Communications, FCSC is channel 405 and both games are on this weekend. 7:30 Friday and 7:00 on Saturday.

Hmmmm. You seem to be lost. The Old Barn is long gone, torn down many years ago. It was located to the southwest of Hyslop (as Hyslop was back in those days). The roof shown is the Old Ralph. And yes, the stadium looks very nice. They were tearing out the east side bleachers during out tailgating on Saturday.

We were there past 6:00. Sure you were in G.F., at the old arena(The Old Ralph, not The Barn)? Evidently we weren't very noticeable. Even the local constabulary didn't spend time watching us like he did the week before. Too bad that you missed us.

It was a fun game to see, and lots of positives. The speed and hustle of Fabian-Kaip were very evident. Look for those guys to have a good year. TJ and Toews are magic, but I don't think they really have it together yet. Close, but not quite there. They had some moves that were fantastic, but couldn't finish. Lammy looked solid in net. Miller and Martens have really stepped it up. And the new guys, I think we have some gamers. I agree with the comments on Genoway. This guy may have a huge upside. Zajac was in it all night. I also saw the power play do some things that we haven't been doing the past few years. On the one they got into a rotation that was so fast the Q guys heads were spinning. It resulted in Oshie's goal. On the not quite so good side, I thought the defense was soft. We gave up quite a few odd man rushes. We gave Q way too many close in shots, and shots without the guy being challenged. You can credit Lammy with keeping Q off the scoreboard as long as he did. The last thing is that I thought our D behind our own net was slow at times. The Q wingers were easily running them down from behind on the attempted breakout. The defensive things are correctable. Vandevelde does look slow and not quite with it, but as Dagies noticed, he had some good moments in the third. Overall, it is good to see all of the contribution from the freshmen and the sophomores who didn't get to play all that much last year. This isn't a WCHA game yet, but this team has speed up front and through all four lines. If they can progress like the past two teams have progressed, this will really really be fun by the end of the year. I am hoping to see Bishop and Forney in the lineup tonight to see how those two look. I though Bishop looked good against Manitoba, but would like to see him again tonight.

For me it is the first night of the west regionals this past March. The Holy Cross-MN game set that place a buzzing, setting the stage for the Sioux game. I was hoarse by the end of the Holy Cross game, and the Sioux game finished off my voice. What a memory.

Just a friendly reminder to the ss.com faithful that there will be tailgating at the Old Ralph prior to the hockey game on Saturday. Will probably start setting up about 3:00 pm. Bring your favorite beverage and something to throw on the grill or share with the group. The weather looks to be good (not quite as warm as Sunday though). Stop by and say hello if you are in the area. GO SIOUX!!!!!

Just a friendly reminder to the ss.com faithful that there will be tailgating at the Old Ralph prior to the hockey game on Saturday. Will probably start setting up about 3:00 pm. Bring your favorite beverage and something to throw on the grill or share with the group. The weather looks to be good (not quite as warm as Sunday though). Stop by and say hello if you are in the area. GO SIOUX!!!!!

http://www.startribune.com/512/story/721699.html According to the Star-Tribune, Briggs has been suspended for three games. No reason given. Their first three games are non-conference against Maine and Wayne State. Could be an opportunity for Frazee, if he is up to it.

Will be there again between football game and hockey game this Saturday. Your duty is to be there.

Ditto on the tailgating. It was fun, and I really enjoyed meeting a number of people from ss.com. I still smell like the grill, it is so great. The ribs were a big hit, so I will try to bring those next weekend as well. For those that missed it, try to make it next week. The most exciting thing about the hockey was that its hockey time again. Fabian looks good and was #1 star on the radio. Bina got a great reception, as expected. Duncan's goal was an absolute sniper job, what a wrist shot. And T.J., well his energizer battery is still going, absolutely no quit. Toews is Toews, so slick and nifty, even in traffic. The new guys got plenty of ice time, which was good. Some of last year's guys who didn't get much ice time got it tonight. All in all it was a good opening test to get the bugs out and see what guys can do. The defense went to sleep on Manitoba's first goal, but overall were respectable. Hopefully Qunnipiac will be a little step up before on to Wisconsin.

The other thought is the reaction in The Ralph when Robbie Bina hits the ice. That should be worth the ticket alone.

It's about right for the Tailgate Party at the Old Ralph though. Time to get it on.

We have waited for this day for sooooo long. Will be bringing boneless seasoned ribs for the grill, buns and chips. Also onion and some great mustard for the brats. Looking forward to seeing those who can make it to the TAILGATE today. Should be a warmup for more to come. This is a day for smiles. It has been a long time since Milwaukee.

Haven't decided yet what we will bring for the grill, but I do have some great horseradish mustard to go with the brats.

Mrs. Siouxman and I will be there. TheTriouxper has said he will be there. I have been passing the word, so hopefully others will show up as well. For a minute there I thought you were implying the tailgate party was cancelled. The weather is supposed to be wonderful. Its an opportunity that should not be wasted. Hey Sioux Fans - If you plan to show up Sunday afternoon for a little pre-hockey tailgating at the Old Ralph, speak up.

What??? or should I say Vaht?

The nice shiner was clearly visible. But it also looked to be in recovery mode.

Nice comments on T.J. though. Clearly, they haven't seen enough to note the improvement in Toews in the last half of last season. If he keeps up improving at that pace, he will have a monster year and make them all look like fools. The fun starts Sunday.