Irish

Wow - this quote from Mussman says a lot about him and the state of the program. We are in the 3rd year of transition - If Landry (who had one of the worst performances in modern Sioux history) not only keeps his job, but "gives us the best chance to win" what does that say about our recruiting, judgement of talent, and offensive philosophy? Landry's skill set is well known - even when he's playing well he has problems with passing touch, accuracy, and his tendency to lock on to one receiver and telegraph his throws. I had hoped that with our expanded scholarships we would be more competative this year.

I'm glad they're trying to involve the students. Now, if they can take some of the Barney Fife out of Alerus security, they could have a renewed student section.

Sadly, I was at that game - it was one of the worst losses in modern Sioux memory. The wind seemed to go out of the sails of Sioux fans after this game and interest in home games dropped significantly. I think 3 things need to happen to improve attendance 1. Put out a better product - this seems to be happening. After the Sioux Falls debacle, the Sioux looked much more organized and focused. I think this should continue into this year. 2. Get a better schedule - This seems to be happening also, but until we have a confernce, something to play for, and some natural rivals on our schedule it will always be hard to get everyone fired up to play teams even if they are DI like Lamar and Southern Utah. No rivalries here. 3. Get the Alerus to become much more user friendly. This has been discussed on another thread. The attitude at the Alerus seems to be to try to suck all of the fun out of tailgating and the game. The University needs to have a serious talk with the Alerus about how they do business. Being picked last in the GWC is not where we wanted the program at this time. This would be a good year for a breakout season from the Football TEam.

I loved the barn - I think the hard-nosed attitude that our teams developed playing there carries over into the Sioux Hockey Program today (contrast that with the Gophs) My memories start with standing outside at -20, then getting in and it's still -20. Luckily, we all carried the accessory of choice, a wineskin filled with a strong warming fluid. The fog or mist that formed inside the barn gave it a surreal appearance. Chicken wire added to this. You had to rush to the warming rooms between periods. They resembled a very packed smoking lounge, with people re-loading their drinks. Add a very hard-nosed team and many animals ready to be thrown (gophers, badgers, whatever) and it was a hockey classic. When I see our team play in the Ralph, I think in some ways we have come light years in facilities, but in other ways, we are still a team that would feel at home playing in the barn. I hope we never lose the edge.

Well excuse me for daring to post that the Sioux didn't look particularly well prepared against Yale or that BC had a great game plan against Wisconsin (prove it). And then to have the nerve to suggest that Coaching has something do do with tournament success (pathetic). The title of this thread is "So - Is there a missing link?" - Expect some speculation on why the Sioux seem to struggle come tournament time. Our season ending losses have been very frustrating, mainly because of how we looked in those games. Loyal Sioux fans have the right to speculate on what is missing without a lecture from you. I'm sorry if the suggestion that everything is not perfect is upsetting to you.

Obviously you have to be a solid recruiter or you can never get to the top. But at the highest level where talent is fairly even, I think it is coaching. Remember, BC and us were the two hottest teams last year going into the tournament. They were 4th and we were 5th. Compare York's preparation and game plan against Wisconsin with ours against Yale. To me, that's what made them champions.

I see your point - there are many different paths to the Championship - BC has found a way to be hot during the tournament - we haven't. It seems like they always come up with a game plan that is disruptive to their opponents, always get good goaltending, and use their speed. Lately, they've been making WCHA teams look like they're skating in cement. However, I think relying on a hot streak second half only works if you have a lot of freshmen and have chemistry issues to work out or if you have some early injuries (like last year for us). As a blueprint for every year, it has shown to leave something to be desired. Bottom line is we're all guessing - I don't know what the answer is. I do know that we are due and have the talent. I'm hoping for #8. I also hope we beat the Gophs and BC along the way. We shouldn't want to duck any team.

I can't wait - this slow hockey news season is killing me I felt last year that going in to the tournament the two hottest teams and the two with the best shots were us and BC. Now they're National Champions and we're one and done. We should be loaded this year, but Hak has to figure out how to become a tournament team. I think a big factor will be the pace of the season. I think we can all agree that with this team, floundering until mid January is unacceptable. Having to rely on a white hot streak the second half just to get in the tournament has not proven to be a successful strategy -We haven't been able to sustain it long enough for a championship. Rather than relying on catching fire at precisely the right time, how about trying a whole season of excellence - one where we steadily improve our play and hit our stride at tourny time. Tournament prep is a critical area - At least 3 and possible 4 times since Hak took over I felt we were the team to beat going into the tournament. It's time we finish.

You left off the two most pertinent ones - Dean Blais - 3 years and Gino Gasparini - 2 years

Look - a lot of people who are venting here are not saying fire Hak - that's just the unfortunate and somewhat tounge in cheek title of this thread. What we are saying is that part of the job description of Hockey Coach of the Fighting Sioux is to win some National Championships - of course not every year, but some. So far Hak has fallen short. It is not unreasonable to compare Hak to the two coaches who came immediately before him, both of whom won their SECOND National Championship by the end of their 6th year. The pattern of Hak's seasons - start out playing like crap, put together an amazing run late, and fizzle out in the playoffs causes much frustration to fans who are on a roller coaster of emotions. And let's face it - in some of our playoff losses, the Sioux have looked just clueless for a big part of the game. I think that's on the coaches. I agree with a previous poster - Hak has been good, but not great. We have the best tradition and facilities in college hockey - we need to expect great. Otherwise, we'll look like the Gopers during the Woog years.

I bet you aren't quite as smug now - It's time for Hak to GET ER DONE

Let's go boys - give the rodents 60 minutes of pain

Two Tickets for Saturday only - Prime - Sect 113, Row C - directly behind goal 3 rows from glass, on the isle. PM me with offers, but I won't be online after 10 tonight. I'll try check again first thing in the morning.

Google House Bill 1058 and see what it is really about - It makes NO mention of scalping or ticket sales

Scalping is NOT illegal in North Dakota

I agree that goals are generally harder to come by now than 20 years ago for a variety of reasons - What i was refering to was the stunning lack of Sioux goals in comparison to other current teams. When the top Sioux scorer is tied for 25th in the WCHA, this is a situation that needs some getting used to. Like I mentioned, Minnesota Duluth has 4 of the top 10 scorers. We just don't seem to have any firepower. I agree that losing Genoway hurt, but if the entire team's production is affected this much by the loss of one player, something is out of balance. I am seriously worried about the future - the reason? Check out this year's upperclassmen and compare them to last year - Name one who is having a significantly better year this year? We just don't seem to be getting better. Are we this low in talent? What has to change to get some more goals? (Sorry if I sound like your Aunt Brianvf but this really concerns me)

I take it that your Aunt has seen the Sioux play recently.

What's behind the Sioux scoring drought? In looking at the WCHA scoring leaders, the only Sioux in the top 25 are VandVelde with 6 goals and 10 assists and Gregoire with 10 goals and 6 assists (both tied for # 25). The only other Sioux in the top 50 are Trupp and Kristo. In contrast, Minnesota-Duluth has 4 in the top ten. Season statistics for returners show that Gregoire has 13, VandeVelde 9, Trupp 5, Malone 7, Toews 4 and Zajac 3. For freshmen, Kristo has 8 and no one else has more than 3. Not one returner has taken the next step in his scoring, and other than Kristo, our Freshmen have been silent. Looking at the roster, I can't figure out what gives. Why aren't we scoring at all? Is the idea that we can run 4 solid lines and wear people down and don't need high end scorers a foolish one? Do we miss Genoway that much? Is it our shooting, our passing, or our team speed? Are we not getting the right recruits to score at this level? Is it our offensive philosophy? Too much dump and chase and not enough crashing the net? Are we just snake-bit? Will things be better next year with pretty much the same team? Anyone have any thoughts?

Is anyone else worried about the lack of progress with this program - I thought we'd be much better this year. Are we going to get the Twins and have nothing to go with them next year? How long will this go on?

In my book that's unacceptable - I don't care who we're playing. who's hurt, or who's coaching - The Fighting Sioux don't play like that.

So you like how the Sioux are doing so far and it's wrong to want a coach like Blais back? I'd take him in a minute and contribute to his salary = this can't hold a 2 goal lead team is frustrating me

I'd chip in some

Here's all you need to know about the Sioux season - how many times have we puked up a 2 goal lead? - Now - how many times have we rallied for a victory This isn't Sioux Hockey as I expect it to be - can't hold a lead - get swept at home - let people camp out in front of the goal - Come on Hak - get things goiing Things that may make me puke if I see them on this board again- We're really close The refs cost us the game I wouldn't want to be _______ (insert the name of our next opponent) - implying that next week we'll be really motivated to beat someone We ran into a hot goalie We are due for a breakout any game now We can run 4 lines that can score at any time - It will be impossible for anyone to stay with us If only Genoway hadn't gotten hurt we'd be ___________ (insert your idea = leading the league? a real contender? national champions?) The power play isn't that bad (have you seen it in person?) We can still salvage the season if we get going next week - We've been through how many next weeks so far?

The second period is a great example of what happens when you work your butts off, but don't have anyone that can score. Add on an 0 for 2010 power play and this is the result you get. I hope this is the end of the "all 4 year role players, no blue chippers" team philosophy. What I wouldn't give for an Oshie, Toews, or Parise to put the puck in the net. We are in desperate need of scorers. I hate to say it, but I don't see us getting much better this year - We are clearly working hard - we just never get timely scoring or goaltending.

Interesting points - Most people aren't sayine Eidsness is horrible, it's just that he isn't playing at the level we need to get to where we need to go. He's currently tied for 8th in the WCHA in save percentage at .908 - the only people below him are Tech and Anchorage's goalies and Wisconson's second goalie. Two freshmen (Lee and Howe) are ahead of him. As for him being only a Sophomore, remember he has 65 games under his belt. I would submit that he's no longer a young goalie and needs to step it up. As near as I can tell, he and Cheverie have played in roughly the same amount of games - In face, I bet if you added them up, he has as much game experience as almost anyone in the league. When we recruited him, we could offer any goalie in the country an almost automatic starting job at the best program in the country - If expectations seem high, it's because they are.