#1 Sioux Fan

Does anyone remember the media circus that Phil made when he choose a school? I don't think that Minnesota hyped it up as much as Phil wanted. Phil loves the spot light on him - If he wants the attention, then he gets it - good and bad both! IMO Phil is not going to be the next Modano or Heatly - he along with a huge majority of players from college hocky, expection of that russian kid, are going to fall into a gap of talent in this years NHL draft. Kessel doesn't bring the game that is expected of him. Maybe it would be better if he was a unknown and you didn't expect anything - Ovechkin. But all things aside he is something if half of this thread is about him!

I love the second paragraph - Maybe we should start talking about next year when us and Denver rule the hockey world again!! So it wasn't just me that thought that it was our seniors - and Phil were the only players on the ice!!!

Tony you needed to lace up last night and put on circus, wow did we ever get beat - who would have thunk it!

Is there light at the end of the tunnel for the Sioux nickname??? Only time will tell!

I couldn't agree more, there must be a way to join the season ticket holders to the students. Wether we learn to spell Sioux or North Dakota (pretty tricky campared to Minnesota!!) - there has got to be a way cheer on this team that is in desperate need of a helping hand

NO S***

Was it just me or did Kessel start to just shoot the puck at the net about middle of the second period to try and get a goal on Friday nights game?? Kessel is a great hockey talent, no doubt Slap shot. But since he is expected to be the first pick of the NHL would you expect anything but critics??? Do you really think that Kessel and Towes even come close to Ovechkin and Crosby in terms of pure talent??? I personally don't think so. Pitting Parise and Vaneck against Crosby and Ovech is a one sided battle. I really think that if Kessel and Towes both go in the first five, this a very weak draft this year! Just a thought

I couldn't agree more with the lack of teamwork and effort tonight - what happened is what the UND deserved. Tonight, they didn't deserve the right to be called the fighting Sioux! One or two players played well one being Fabian and the other his line mates - was it only our fourth line that had any thing in this game or what??

So did I. So should every alumnus have to put up with standing students, even the ones who put tens of thousands of dollars on the line?? I just don't see how swearing and yelling bring the Sioux to the next level of play. I hate to say it, we got beat tonight - if this game was in GF, watch out the language would have been nasty - Hay it's just a game!!!!!! I realize you students love Sioux sports - so do I, but there is a fine line that is drawn - that is dividing Sioux spirit from Sioux disgrace - As stated earilier, I really think that there is a small number of students that are bring the heat to the student section - wether or no that changes is to be seen.

WHAT??? Do these kids have no chance at having a shot at becoming the next Phil or Nick on the team - I guess you are in charge there!!!

If you don't like it don't go is the case than students if they don't like the rules than go home and watch the games on FSN. You knew what the REA and other season ticket holders wanted- so YOU stay away!! Your arguement is week, you only pay 55 or 60 dollars a season - you get by cheap. try like up wards of a thousand and above. I don't mean to make an example of your comments, but I have seen it too many times on this post!!

I am a season ticket holder in the lower bowl of the ralph, graduated from UND in 2002, and am proud to be the #1 Sioux fan. Through out my college career and whole life, I have attend just about every Sioux home game and loved the atmosphere at the old and the new ralph. I believe the students today carry as much weight in the atmosphere as they once did in the old ralph. Meaning, you the students are the atmosphere that is SIOUX hockey(Look back at the Harvard and Bemidiji series - Talk about a lame atmosphere). Sioux hockey is a tough and rugged sport and the fans reflect that. That said there are rules that apply to the players and so should there be rules that apply to the fans. Besides a few curse words I personaly think that the students today are very well mannered. Put against students of the late eights and ninties, you students are like the nunnery. Dead badgers, gophers, and birds (Denver) litered the ice back than. Swearing was big but seemed outshined by the antics and overall Sioux support. Sitting or standing didn't matter much, because most the student section was not full for every game right along with the rest of the arena - no longer the case at the new Ralph. I have attended several games at other venues like DECC and Kohl and all students get excited and swear and stand during the game, even I still do that. Though in these arenas, students are tucked away in the corners and back. So the students are not as vocally or visibily noticable . I think that it is a hand full of students that come to the games that are drunk and disorderly that is making all the students look bad in the lower bowl at the Ralph. In order to keep the current setup in the Ralph, which is sweet for students- you may have keep these few students in check. The nickname issue some how being linked to how students act at one sporting event seem a little far fetched. If is the case we would have lost the nickname a long time ago! GO SIOUX -Sweep up the Gophs-

Couldn't agree more with this comment. You don't outshoot a team by 25-30 shots and score only 3 goals. UND's favorite shot is the 'logo killer' on every goalie. I'm sure it'll go through one time for a goal!!!

Stafford I thought at the beginning of the season was a little flat and not showing the consistancy that he can - now with the first half of the season over, I am very much impressed with his effort and his so called 'Puck Luck' - hate to say it he doesn't really need much luck, the skill makes up for it! The problems with the team are not so much individual but more team related. Each line seems to relay on a go to guy or go to play to score goals. Meaning the team is relaying on certain players to carry the team through the game, some nights it's Parise others Spirko or Stafford. UND's success will only come when each player thinks they can score the next goal. When the third and forth lines are netting one or two a game or drawing penalties by crashing the net; then the team will have success. I really think the person(s) to do this is Erik Fabian or Mike Prpich - as it was last year. For the most part I think the Sioux are doing just fine, being in 5th place (WCHA) and in the top 10 in the nation is good stuff. Most importantly, it leaves the door open for post season play .

This forum seems a little frantic about recruits for next year - do we not have 13 or 14 freshman?? As far as other players leaving early like Zajac and Stafford - I would be surprised to see both leave at the same time. I do agree with the fact that UND has changed from Blais recruiting to Hak recruiting - the defenseman have turned a new leaf at UND. Where are the Greene and Comm's on today's squad??? It sure isn't Finley - maybe Smaby but not the same intensity. I think that Hak and Lucia are having a contest to see who can be the fastest team on ice and score the most goals. Doesn't Lee and Chorney remind anyone of Hagemo and Golagoski?? Wisconsin and maybe more so Denver reminds me of the Blais Sioux - very large defense who love to hit with skilled offensive forwards. Not saying it's a bad thing, just a sign of change -

Seeing Canada whoop every team last year was amazing - if this years team is even half of lasts years, they will win it again. Team USA may have a chance if learn to pass the puck to each other!

I think that everyone should jump onto the Gopher band wagon and leave the sioux to dry up and die!! Wow - I have seen some lame comments on this forum, but these posts by Shep and some others take the cake. Taves is no longer considered a top draft pick because he didn't score any goals and wow everyone - did you watch the game or the score board? The kid has some mad skills that rival the likes of Stafford and Kessel. Of anyone who maybe had a off weekend would have been Oshie - didn't play was well as he has in the past. I realy think the team is experiencing some hometown jitters - load crowd, expecting you to blow the other team out of the water. We had our chances to win these games both nights late in third but couldn't convert. I thought it was a great weekend of hockey though at least one win would have been nice. I thought the Sioux were up to the challenge this weekend but couldn't match Minne's wheels - We tryed to play Minne's game and got beat at it. The third period on Saturday, when the Sioux started to put the hurt on Minnesota in terms of checking- the game took a turn. We are a very young team - by far younger than any WCHA team that has come to the Ralph yet. Have some faith - be a TRUE Sioux fan and stand by your team - a sweep at Minne would be so much sweeter.

I usally rip on Stafford for a no effort game, but I have to disagree that he was missing from last nights game. He was bring the puck in over and over again trying to get something going. I really feel that the lineup changes had a lot to do with the fact that he did not post any points - I don't recall him having any assists?!?!? I thought that Duncan and him were a perfect match - just as good as Zajac and Spriko. The staring lineup was not what I was expecting at all. My feelings are if it's not broke don't fix it. Thought the lines should have been like they were at the Tech and saturday night's Duluth game. Prpich - thought he played his typical game and did what he needed to do all game. Really felt that the tone for the whole game was set by that first goal.

Irman needs to realize that he is not Phil Kessel and that he doesn't need to be. It seems as if the whole Minnesota team requires extra attention. Is scoring a awesome goal no enough for Irman to show the students? Celebrate and let the score board do the talking. I was really taken back how much players from Minnesota argued with the refs play after play. At one point Guyer had to push his teammate away from the ref. Their is little to no modesty for this young Gopher team. We got beat and there is no arguing that, but have some pride on the ice - there is no need for show boating.

I think that Oshie would be a good fit because he is a 'grinder'- constantly winning battles on the boards looking for the open man in front of the net- that said I feel that the first line really needs a sniper like Toews to pull some pressure off of the Trav and Drew

I agree with you on seeing the team play better infront of Parise - I don't know what it is leadership, senority, or what but they play better defensively time and time again in front of Par. To get the shut out this weekend we need Par in the posts. I think Lam will get his time next weekend.

Sounds like regular WCHA play to me! Don't discount the Gophs this year they will be very diserving of a top ten spot right behind UND!

Nothing against Lam- but I think Par should between the posts both nights. UND seems to play better with him out front! I watched the game on Saturday and Lam was out of position alot - not like he got any help. These freshman need someone in net they feel can lead them right now-more senority. Lam will get his turn next weekend (against the dogs)- starting both nights! As far as UND being ranked to high - playing Fairbanks and St Cloud has got be the toughest test out there!! UND deserves where they are!

I find it amazing that SU is able to finance their move to DI without a conference in football. While UND is playing ball well into Nov - Dec; SU will be dreaming of candy canes and Lolly pops. UND's approach to DI is very well thought out - why would anyone go DI without a confernce to play your number II sport in (#1 sport down in SU land) Big Sky is not interested in adding UND and for that matter any team from the east - when will SU see that?? It all comes down to money - to much in travel for schools already strapped for cash. This maybe a fanatsy, but with NCAA pushing to drop the # of scholarships available to DII football schools - could there be a loophole to allow only your football team to go DIAA and leave remaining programs at DII. This could open the door for a few other schools - SCS, UNO , SD, and maybe Duluth - opening the door for UND, SU and SDSU to form a league simular to the NCC. Let's face it - basketball, volleyball, soccer, and baseball don't stand a chance at ever seeing March madness . How SU will continue to support these programs will be quite amazing! The same could be said for UND if they made the move up.

Ok lets win another one. But Shep - he still broke Bina's neck!!!!!!! The little happiness sure makes the fans and his family feel alittle better.