schmidtdoggydog

Are any Sioux fans going to the game Friday night? I have a friend who grew up in the Cities and attended law school with me at UND so he is a bit of a Sioux fan, but more of a Gopher fan. Anyway, he collects Gopher items and was informed that they are giving away Gopher card team sets only at Friday's game. He said he would be willing to pay a fee for the set if someone would be willing to part with theirs. Email me at sschmidtys@aol.com if you are willing to pick up the set for him. Thanks.

Whether they are installed next year or the year after, the arrival of nets is inevitable, which is really too bad. I sit ten rows up right behind the net UND defends twice and am not looking forward to watching a game through netting. I picked my seats with the full knowledge that my young son would be soon seating next to me and do not fear for our safety at games mostly because my wife and I pay very close attention to the puck and the game. That being said, I have watched warmups from my seat before every home game this year and and have seen many people and their children, young and old, getting drilled by pucks. However, the majority of the people I have seen hit have been reading the program, chatting with their neighbor or munching on concession stand food. Although these are all acceptable things at a game they are most certainly not advisable during warmups when sitting behind the net(s). I for one don't think nets are necessary, but too many people just don't get it and refuse to pay close attention to the puck. As such, nets are soon to be a fact of life in all arenas.

We all know DeMarchi's history and the crap he is capable of, but I was hoping that for once, he wouldn't engage in an illegal and/or injurious acts and that none of our guys would have to fight him and that none of our guys would have to be suspended and that none of our guys would miss anymore games. We have been shorthanded for too long now. That being said, if DeMarchi does pull his usual crap I hope the Sioux player that tangles with him, if it comes to that, works him over.

I agree that the officiating was very good. When you have two top teams playing, you want some flow to the game and you don't want the ref raising his arm all the time. Although I didn't agree with the call on Palmo, it didn't appear to change the outcome and it didn't lessen my opinion of Schmitt, who I felt called a good series. It was a physical series and there was a lot of clutching, grabbing and some stick work. If it would have been any other referee there would have no doubt been a lot more penalities called, which would have likely taken away from the series and probably benefitted CC and their strong power play.

Does anybody have any idea what happened to Canady? He played in the first, but we didn't see him after that and Palmo moved into his spot. None of the people I was with could see him on the bench so we were left to assume that he got hurt. BTW, the penalty on Palmo for playing without a helmet was one of the worst calls I have ever seen. For those not there, a CC player was draped on Tyler and pushed his head down toward the ice ripping his helmet off. The CC player then held Tyler's head down momentarily. Tyler was finally able to get upright and as soon as he did, Schmitt who was standing three feet away called Tyler for playing without a helmet. Palmo clearly didn't have any chance to bend down and pick up his helmet nor did he have a chance to move toward the bench. Although I likely didn't describe the incident very well, nonetheless it was a horrendous call!

Palmo played at least three to four shifts on d during the first period and only one shift at forward after clarke's goal. In Tyler's defense on CC's second goal the puck was about 20-25 feet in the air over his head and he couldn't find it. The whole bench was yelling for him to look up, but the puck happened to come down right on clarke's stick, which lead to a very nice goal. It is nice to see Notermann get some attention, which he deserves. But, did anyone happen to notice Massen last night? He played a great game. Three points and many great hits. I thought his play was as important to UND's performance as Note's.

According to most WCHA fans, other than UND's, Yale was one of those "cupcake" teams that UND faced earlier this year, but now we find out that they are top ten in the country in offensive production. Man, I am confused!

Come on Sioux fans, let's not get carried away. I was there for both games and although neither was pretty, UND did what they needed to do, they won! I didn't see any signs of the players playing with inflated egos and I don't think we, as fans, need to panic. As it would with any team, it will take UND at least a couple of games to adjust to the absence of three very important players. Additionally, the rust from the Christmas break was evident. Also, the lines were a hodge podge of combinations that we haven't seen before, and they seemed to continually change throughout the course of the tournament. Of course if the Sioux play against CC like they did this past weekend, they will likely get swept and perhaps smoked by CC. But, we all know what Blais is capable of. However, when considering the loss of three players, a d-man (Marvin) who rarely plays assuming a regular role, a forward (R. Hale) converting to d and another forward (Palmo) returning from a six-seven week injury hiatus he appears to have his work cut out for him! Hopefully, they will be able to get it together, which I think they will. BTW, how about Bochenski scoring SIX goals without Parise next to him? What an awesome weekend for him!

Was there any word on Ryan Hale's status?

Kevin McKinnon is out of hockey and living in Colorado. According to the postgame show last weekend, Herter is also out of hockey due knee problems. Last I saw Jesse Bull he was throwing a party for Sioux fans in Duluth two years ago during the Sioux series.

What is even more interesting is that we have both played Wisconsin and Mankato twice. They also have played CC twice and UND has played Anchorage twice. But, the Gopher's other four league games have been against Tech, a perennial bottom dweller, and our other four have been against St. Cloud, and although they aren't having a great year they are clearer much better than Tech. What does all this mean, well with 40% of their league games played thus far against lowly Tech, you would expect the Gopher goal differential to be much higher!

Yes, you will. Thanks!

I get the feeling when reading many posts on this board that several UND fans are down on Siembida and, quite frankly, I don't understand why that is? Sure his save percentage leaves something to be desired, but the bottom line is he, like Jake, is winning games. This past Saturday for instance, Josh made several big saves, which Blais alluded to during the postgame. His save on the two on one was remarkable and seemed to deflate the Mavericks. Also, with ten seconds left and UND down two men (Mankato goalie pulled) Josh made a great save on Stevenson to ensure a Sioux victory. The remaining goals he gave up were directly attributable to Mankato's PP or our own defensive breakdown(s). I am not trying to start a debate about who is better Brandt or Siembida, as I feel they both are capable of being solid goaltenders, I just don't understand all the criticism. UND is ranked #1 in the country (deserved or not) and is 12-1-1. Some of that has to be credited to the goalies. When teams don't trust their own goalies, they don't play well. That is not the case here. The Sioux players have repeatedly stated that they have faith in both young men and so should we! We would all be better served cheering for them rather than against them.

The reason UND is not recruiting Ziggy has nothing to do with his abilities. He is a solid goaltender and fine young man. It is simply a matter of numbers and the limited amount of scholarship money Blais has available. UND has a very young team with only three seniors and four juniors (not counting Sofie) and, therefore, signing another goaltender may seem impractical. Also, I doubt Ziggy would be willing to walk on at UND when he is getting serious consideration, and likely scholarship offers, from other reputable schools. Besides, it would appear that Blais feels that the goaltending situation is set for the next six years. Brandt and Siembida are sophomores, Sedevie will come in next year and Phil the year after. It is all about numbers.

In today's insidecollegehockey.com poll, they state that Blais has mentioned bringing in a new goalie at the break? Although many people have speculated as such (we know how Goon feels), the cited website appears to have some first-hand information. I am wondering if Blais has made comments lately about bringing someone in? I listened to some of the postgame on Saturday and although he was not impressed with Josh's save percentage Blais seemed to feel that he had played well in the victory and made some crucial saves.

tuggnutt, During home games teams can dress three goalies without it counting against the maximum allowable number of players that can be dressed. For the most part, Blais has dressed three goalies for home games this season.

Lines: Parise, Bochenski, Notermann Lundbohm, Spiewak, Massen McMahon, Prpich, Hale Spiewak (double shifted), Genoway, Fylling Canady and Connelly not dressed. Blais went with 11 forwards, but not sure why? Talked to Canady briefly before the game and he didn't seem injured, perhaps his parents have some insight as to why he wasn't dressed. Personally, I thought he played well on Friday and deserved to play! Also, with D. Hale sitting out due to suspension, Lee Marvin did dress and play defense. Of note, he is now wearing #13. Prior to this weekend he was #23, however, that was Engelstad's number, which will now be retired!

I live in Fargo, but was at the game. As usual I set my VCR to tape the game on Cable One, channel 24. Much to my dismay when I arrived home I discovered that the game wasn't televised as indicated. Was anyone able to tape the game? If so, would you be willing to allow a copy to be made?

I know one of the Sioux players that was on the ice when the brawl broke out and he said it was one of the scariest things he had ever been a part of because so much was going on that he never knew when he was going to get punched and where the punch was going to come from. Also, apparently at the old Dane according to the same player, there was a tunnel between the players benches that lead to the beer garden where many Wisco fans were congregated during the brawl. Archie jumped into the tunnel and took off toward the beer garden and the players left on the bench who witnessed this said he was running so fast on the concrete that sparks were flying. I didn't know what to think of this story, but when watching the replay of the brawl before last Saturday's game, there was Archie in the tunnel having a go with some Wisco fans.

I talked to Tyler during the second period break of last Saturday's game and he said his head is still bothering him a little bit, but that he hopes to be back and ready to go very soon.

Does any of this really matter? Bottom line, the kid is playing for UND and doing quite well. Come on, Parise's already been subjected to more scrutiny than any 18-year old should have to face. I say let's move on before he gets tired of our senseless yammering and decides to transfer (not that I see that happening) or leave for a higher league.

It is neither here nor there, but the Gophers were in Lincoln last week talking to Ziegelmann. Wouldn't it be ironic if the Gophers ended up with at least as many North Dakotans on their roster next year as UND.

I have known the Ziegelmann family for years and know for a fact, as of a month ago when I chatted with his father, that UND had not even spoken to him and has shown absolutely no interest. It is too bad. He is a great kid and obviously he has good skills. In another vein, did anybody happen to notice that Parise's brother, Jordan, finished in the top five in the Goalies' World Goaltender of the Month race? http://www.ushl.com/ushl0203/pr/gotm1105.htm

http://www.yaleclublax.org/higgins.jpg I just received this link. This picture makes the hit look rather vicious. I can see how the Sioux players became a bit hot under the collar.

I will be in St. Cloud for the Friday game with a small contingent of Sioux fans and was wondering if anyone is planning a gathering before that game? If so, where at? Also, Al Pearson from GF has a fun bus going to St. Cloud this weekend and according to the postgame show, seats were still available. BTW, I paid $8.00 in fees per ticket through Ticketmaster. How ridiculous is that?!