tnt

I think Kristo needs to shoot a lot. It doesn't appear that a lot of other guys are prepared to pull the trigger but to just keep passing. I have always wondered why when things aren't going your way, you don't throw more shots on net and have people ready for the rebound. The reason that Brandon Bochenski scored so much is that he score from every conceivable angle.

What troubles with Tech are you talking about?

We could ask gopher fans the same type of questions. So footage of Cepis actually choking someone with his stick isn't cheap. Gopher fans make it seem the Sioux have a monopoly on being cheap, when in fact they are not saints, and often times instigate. I would bet that the gophers will come out tonight trying to prove that they won't be intimidated this time, and the Sioux will get blamed for instigating. Maybe gopher fans believe Lucia's rants that this only seems to happen when the Sioux are involved, but we can get television of gopher games here in Grand Forks more than you can see the Sioux play, so we know that to be false.

I don't think choking should play a part of any rivalry. Now what actually happened, I know Cepis using his stick to corral MacWilliam seemed a bit over the top. Did Malone have his forearm around Bjugstad pulling him back from the scrum? I don't know. Would be interesting to see if that is on tape as well. I did find it funny that Lucia and Helgeson "recalled fondly" Ballard pulling the jersey over the head of Lundbohm. In the category where nobody is completely innocent, that would seem to be the type of instigating behavior that gets things to escalate. Love the rivalry, but there are things that go above and beyond, and I would put actual choking in that category.

I think it is safe to say if the gophers sweep, it will be the opportunity for in your face that Minnesota has been wanting for a few years now, and then their expectations would rightfully be even higher. If the Sioux end up winning one or even two, you will probably see the cheap hack comments and/or comments about the state of North Dakota, as is customary when the hockey team loses to the Sioux.

Speaking of things that could be improved upon, does anybody know the coaches feelings since the overhaul of the ice surface at the Ralph? It seems to me that players still are trying to settle the puck down on flat passes. At first I thought it was the warm weather, but it wasn't that warm against St. Cloud. Maybe its better, but just wondering if anyone has inside info as to how the players or coaches feel about the ice surface now.

You might ask yourself this question. The "Official ND Mole" thread was started in September, and had 5 pages of "information" about the Sioux. They have since added a 6th page -- during the week of the series.

Checked it out on GPL. Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't Sioux fans supposed to be the ones that are obsessed with Minnesota? The fact that the thread is the most popular in that category would suggest otherwise. Sounds like the crowd down there must know everything that goes on with every Sioux player, which sure sounds like a definition of obsession to me.

According to the Herald she had 22 points. Regardless, quite a nice debut either way.

Do you mean that he lost his job and regained it because of competition? I don't think there should be an entitlement for any of the players, and I don't know if I want a recruit that thinks the job is going to be handed to him. It's one thing if Goska was ripping it up last year and came in as a clear number one without a chance to pick up where he left off, but most fans saw the quarterback situation in need of an upgrade because the position didn't produce results last year, and obviously the coaches felt the same.

95% of Sioux fans? Surely you can come up with a better lie than that!

If anyone knows what jerks the NCAA are, it is Hakstol. He had to leave halfway through his senior season because he tried to get a head start on college class work.

If he indeed feels like that, why in the world would he make a verbal comittment at such a young age. I would think if he had any leaning to the OHL, he would wait a few years and see how he feels then. It's not like he was getting a ton of pressure from the Sioux.

I agree, that is why I don't see the fuss over a player who likes to celebrate his goals, especially since it isn't an in-your-face celebration to the opponent. Considering some of the examples of poor sportsmanship that have already been put forth, celebrating goals, or even a bit of over celebration pales in comparison.

I think everybody can agree that participants on both sides have shown poor sportsmanship on occasions. I think fans of both sides are guilty as well. But you are suggesting that something that creates some of that bitterness between the rivals is for school pride, when it is more of an instigating factor. There is a reason you don't see it much in pro or college hockey, and it isn't because teams don't take pride in their team, it is because you most likely would have to answer to it. Let's hope it doesn't make a comeback.

If that is true, why doesn't Minnesota still do it? I would bet the Minnesota coaches directed the players that it wasn't the best sportsmanship. Could be wrong, but usually when something like that gets started, it doesn't disappear quickly unless it was frowned upon.

I should probably mention that I am not a huge fan of celebrations, especially when the player needs to be chased down by his teammates to celebrate together, but I think you are splitting hairs when you determine that it is o.k. for certain occasions and not for others. You could argue that players that get excited for every goal might have a level of intensity that others don't, or you could argue that they are seeking the glory for themselves. It depends on how you look at it. If someone could post a video of the celebration they deem excessive, then we have a standard to go by -- and I would bet when you have that standard, you could find celebrations by Sioux players that are similar. If it is the number of celebrations, then who decides you can celebrate a lot here, but not there?

I guess I would take the on ice celebrations rather than the off ice situations that arise -- including with Oshie.

I guess I don't have a major problem with getting excited about scoring goals. I would have concern if the players weren't getting excited. After Minnesota players didn't seem to care in the past, I think they will take a guy who will stick his nose in there and get excited in various situations. As long as he isn't jersey popping and getting in the opponents face after scoring, I have no problem with it. Remember Blood after his goal against Maine? I even think he gave the Maine player a shout in the penalty box for the shot he took at Blood's head. Yes, Blood doesn't score that much and it was basically the winning goal, but excitement about any goal I don't have a problem with, unless you are down by 5 in the third period. We haven't even had the chance to see Grimaldi celebrate yet. Heck he might go Theo Fleury on us and ride his stick down the ice for all we know, but I doubt it.

Keep in mind that at some point they might charging FSC members for women's hockey, and they won't have the $2 tickets for showing a football or hockey ticket stub. I hope they get the support they deserve, but I think filling the lower bowl in the next few years would be a nice accomplishment.

How did the whole Garrett Clarke thing work out when he decided not to come to UND?

One thing I was pleased with today, was that they used Jake Miller in the screen game effectively, and they also used him as a decoy split out wide, which gave Goska a few running lanes. Would still like to see more play action with him to give our passing game a better chance at succeeding, especially on first down when the opponents will be expecting run.

It certainly seems like the Sioux have the makings of a good Big Sky team if they could find a consistent passing game. In the NFL and NCAA football, you aren't going to go far without a passing game, and the Sioux and the Vikings both are on the lower end of the spectrum in producing an acceptable passing game. I would hate to see Jake Miller's ability be wasted because teams don't have to respect the passing game. To me it is remarkable how well he and Adrian Peterson have done with virtually no passing game to complement their abilities. Unless the Sioux can have someone step up this year and next, Miller might have only one year to work with an offense that is balanced, which would be a shame. Makes me even more upset that he and Garman weren't redshirted.

Wasn't that the score of the last women's game down there?

Minnesota almost always looks better than UND -- before Christmas. And by keep playing like they are, do you mean giving up 50 shots on goal? I would guarantee you that they will not finish top three if they give up 50 shots a game.