tnt

PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS! Just had to use that line, but let's start by winning our first conference game, then see what happens from there. Our defense should be able to keep us in every game, but the offense still needs to find a way to put up some points. I'm a believer in the defensive turnaround, but I need to see a little more improvement from the offense, especially getting us the lead rather than always needing to come back.

I would think that if Poolman is going to play this weekend, they would let him get a little more comfortable at home first, but who knows maybe they want to see how he reacts on the road.

True, from what I've always seen as a knock on Schmaltz is consistency of effort. If the coaches can instill that, then we can hopefully compare him to Oshie. Hopefully he will be a little more selfish and take the shot when it needs to be taken. Great first game to build from.

But regardless of the outcome, let's not get too high or too low.

Which is curious as to why he thinks Duluth will be that much better as well. North Dakota always has trouble scoring the 1st half of the year, and does a lot better in the second half. Yes, they didn't score a lot in a few games down the stretch, but that's playoff hockey. Minnesota only scored 1 more goal with .6 seconds left, and I don't see them being scrutinized for it. You have to be able to play defense first and foremost, and have goaltending. Those things will take you a long way, because you need that offensive push from the point in the playoffs. The bottom line is the Sioux have a chance to prove him wrong. I just hope they start down that path from the start this year instead of being in must win situations down the stretch. Playing in our conference, we certainly will be battle tested by the second half of the year.

Not now, but if we could have been "the Force" with the understanding that it was short for Force of the North, and had been able to keep the old logo under those circumstances, I would have been in favor of it.

Personally I was hoping it was not just a marketing campaign back then. I was hoping that they would use "Force of the North", "Force" for short in an effort to bypass the NCAA hypocrisy and continue using the logo. If the logo wasn't tied to any particular tribe, who would they have to get permission from?

USA prospects game on NHL network at 6 tonight.

Yeah, I would say that Simpson will be a better pro hockey player than this guy as a writer. Even if you overlook the writing issues, he sounds like he has an axe to grind.

Near the end of the game I was hoping the coaching staff would tell everyone on the offense to hold on the same play, just so they would have one extra play to run clock.

True, just reading that some have him pegged as a third or fourth line guy.Then again, some are no better at evaluation than the average fan, and don't allow for the possibility that they develop better over the next few years than others.

From what I have read, he doesn't look to be a high-end guy, so who knows what they need to fill out their roster. Maybe they already have guys that they think will fulfill certain roles.

I believe he is somehow related to former gopher Stuart Senden. Anyone know the relation?

The NFL and ESPN are such hypocrites, as Ray Rice will have this off his record, much like Ray Lewis got off. Didn't they just erect a statue of Lewis, and ESPN has him as an analyst? Shows that if you are or were a good player, they don't care about your character. Michael Irvin wasn't a paragon of virtue either, but now they seem appalled, when they knew this all along. How did they think she became unconscious?

I remember them getting burned by touching the ball after the block. I think more bad can happen than good. I think most coaches would advise staying away.

Hopefully the Sioux can land another standout from Leduc, Alberta in Tyson Jost. I'm sure they must be interested.

Don't mind people leaving early if they accomplish their ultimate goal. Hope that they have that decision to make.

McIntyre for Hobey!

I get more frustrated with the highway work. They will put up cones for 20 miles and only work on a very small section, and sometimes won't work on any. Can't they just keep moving the cones as they progress? Seems drivers would pay a lot more attention to construction zones if there were actually workers there.

Some thought the same of Emily Evers, but she has turned out pretty good.

Belfour's Cup presentation was at Hyslop, and you could actually touch it then.

Is Cole Gallant the kid of former Red Wing Gerard Gallant?

Is Josh Dunne, Jincy's brother? If so, let's get the package deal.

The one's I remember in no particular order are Red Barn, Ugly's, Toppers, 42nd St. Eatery, and BJ's BBQ or something of the sort.

Not sure on all of them, but who knows the list of restaurants that used to be in the old Dagwood's building?