siouxperstar

Just because someone is kept off the scoresheet doesn't mean they "took the weekend off." Look at the shots and the effort. On one hand you say the goalie is a "game stealer" and on the other you say our top guys "took the weekend off." The other team wants to win too. St. Cloud has an older, physically strong, experienced team who now have coach that has them believing in themselves and in a system. They still only beat us by one goal each night. We do need help on the PP, and I have never seen a team that doesn't have their leading scorer on the first power play. If Stafford and Zajac have offensive chemistry, why would they not play together on the pp all the time even if they need to be on different lines for full strength offensive depth...but that too...if you're losing a game by one goal or just need a goal, why not put your 3 top offensive guys Oshie, Zajac and Stafford together and see what happens...keep swinging...you might land a knockout!

First of all, it pains me to read commentary from those of you who did not actually watch this last series & are just relying on T.H.'s radio broadcast--it's easy to ASSUME, judging from the end scores, that the defense was great & the offense sucked. However, what I saw was NOT a lack of effort on the offense's part, but so many turnovers from our inexperienced defense. Also, If you've got your forwards constantly digging out the puck in our own zone, trying to make plays with 2 SCSU guys wrapped all over you, it's going to be extremely difficult to score! St. Cloud's defense was really unbelievably sound & knew just who to cover this weekend (top scorers). That's when the other players need to step in. Second--many of you need to check the stats section--(check link below) we lead in most of all areas compared to opponents, except Powerplays. This is where we need to make changes most of all, i.m.o. Hakstol changed it up a few times this weekend--had all top forwards with no defensemen at least one time, maybe twice. Though I don't believe it resulted in goals, it did appear to have some life & promise(crowd loved it). Another time he had Stafford out for the whole 2 min.'s. Speaking of him, since when does the top power play unit not have the leading scorer?? What's up with that?? UND hockey stats

Just saw that CSTV has Stafford as # 7 on their Hobey Baker Watch list--see below College Hockey Sports

Here is the link for the Grand Forks Herald article: Grand Forks Herald I also forgot Drew is that young still--especially after he showed such leadership settling those guys down on the bench after the scuffles this past weekend

We want Stafford to play his best & let the cards fall where they may. True of all our other players as well. Every year we're faced with players possibly leaving before they graduate--it's the price we pay with having top end guys.

To STAFFORD RULES--Check this link for "Tuesday's at the Rink" chat with Stafford--www.cstv.com/chat/121505aab.html Just copy & paste this address & it will come up(I don't know how to create a link where you can directly click on the address)

I thought Jordy plays guitar--I do know the band is called Red Seal Peach or R.S.P. as Stafford pointed out on that CSTV interview online a while back.. I think it was right before Christmas, I believe.

Just received the latest USA Hockey magazine in the mail--great article on Drew's hockey roots (Canadian & American)--check it out

You're absolutely right, dagies,-the word is spelled "prima donna"--I'm a CPA, so Math's my thing, not English. And I'm flattered that some think I'm a pissed off "former or current Sioux player." I used to play in my high school days, but due to an injury, have hung up my skates. I do have a 10 year old son who plays and has gone to the Sioux hockey camps for the last couple of summers--have met many of the players & have never gotten the impression they think they're hot stuff. They have always been courteous, humble, & patient with the kids. All i'm saying is they can only get better with "fan" encouragement, but may be discouraged with the animosity that's shown sometimes. B,t.w., I highly doubt the players read this stuff anyway--at least I hope not!

Stafford a pre-madonna?? First I ever heard that used to describe him! You need to check the stats regarding his "effort" level. Announcers before Sat.'s game on ESPNU stated, out of 29 shots, Stafford had 10. Sounds like heart & effort to me. If you'd ever played competitive hockey in your life, you'd realize that sometimes the puck just doesn't go in--you need a little puck luck sometimes. All you naysayers out there are rearing your ugly little heads once again, just like last year. Then you had to eat crow at the end of the year, didn't you? Try spreading some encouragement around and support, instead of barbs and ridicule towards these young guys ( and I don't just mean the Freshmen). Win or lose, the Sioux, for the most part, put on a great night of entertainment at a cheap price!

The article below was found in the Grand Forks Herald: Moderator edit -- full text of article removed

hey, you're quick!

Time to change up the power play.

We have to work harder at staying out of the penalty box! BTW, the radio guys should do their homework---Zajac has only scored 1 shg--Stafford has 3. Nobody on the team has scored 2 shorties so far.

Actually, Stafford was on a roll during the Duluth series as well--you may have forgotten in that 1st game he also had a hat trick & an assist

Congratulations to Drew--that's 2 hat tricks in 6 games!! Let's hope he keeps up the awesome effort next weekend. Great quotes in Sun.'s Grand Forks Herald article from Hakstol & Stafford.

I encountered problems gaining acess into this website yesterday--now that I'm in, it looks like everything between early Nov. and today has gone into cyberspace. Anybody else experiencing this?

b.t.w., Stafford will only turn 20 on Oct.30th

What do you all think of this quote by Earl in the Madison paper-- "I think, in crunch time, that's when I come alive," Earl said. "I find a way to get it done. In the third period I tend to step it up and do what I've got to do." no problem with his self-esteem!

Really amazed to hear Smaby was chosen Captain! Based on the forum's earlier predictions, I would think the majority of viewers are too. Obviously, the players see leadership qualities in him that the public wasn't witness to during the last season. Even more so, Prpich chosen over Stafford?? Could it be that Stafford is only 19 and older guys have some difficulty with that? Hopefully Drew will continue to show strong leadership skills and the dominance he demonstrated in Sunday's game, despite the lack of a letter on his jersey, like ZPar did.

Stafford may have been one of the last in the 10k (does being a long distance runner really have anything to do with playing decent hockey??), but he came in third overall in the "Ironman" competition--Porter was 1st & Lamoureaux 2nd.