tnt

Best wait to see how this lawsuit plays out about player compensation before making a move to FBS. Don't know if you want to be part of a division that has some of its members offering players substantial amounts of money, when the budgets would be tight to begin with.

I think Duluth is right on the bubble of the NCAA tournament right now with a 10-9 record, and with each team playing each other down the stretch, I would say focus on finishing top 2 in the conference and hope that is good enough to be in position come playoff time. Any team in this league is going to have to perform in the playoffs, and most will be facing stiff competition in first round matchups. I have been worried about that 8-4 record that Jim said we needed, but if they can finish top two and win at least 3 in the playoffs, you would think that would be good enough.

You're making my argument for me, saying that gopher hockey isn't as popular as basketball, etc. You cannot say that about UND, period. Hockey is #1, and even Denver's ticket policy bears that out. Don't know of any other college team that has had a ticket policy directed exclusively at them.

But you are talking about a major metropolitan area. You are talking about 20+ times the population to draw from, and basketball doesn't seem to be a sport that plays well in this area, probably because of the passion for hockey.

So you are saying that Minnesota has many more fans in its population base, but still can't draw as well at home as UND? Granted, their arena isn't as big, but then again, why is that? With that population base, not filling a 10,000+ seat stadium every time doesn't scream out passionate to me. Sure, many of the ones that are there are passionate, but I am talking as a whole.

In the same token, do you think Minnesota would have had near the number of fans that UND did in Omaha last year. Bottom line is that since the new Ralph was built, UND has had more fans per game than Minnesota. Does that mean they have more fans? No, but it does show they are a more passionate fan base. The fact that from this small population base, UND consistently draws more than a huge metro area like Minneapolis, speaks for itself.

Yeah, said it tongue in cheek. Probably should have added a wink.

Ban gfhockey??

Maybe somebody should show him the forementioned posts on Bisonville.com.

I think he knows that the NCHC has members that are hockey first schools, unlike the Big Ten, thus this is where he can gain knowledge!

So why are you hanging out on this board all the time. I would think you would be hanging out on all the Big Ten message boards.

I do think Minnesota will support this tournament, especially in the new environment we are in. I think Minnesota fans miss playing old WCHA foes and still look forward to the traditional rivals, and in-state clashes, and probably will for quite some time until they develop some fierce conference rivals. Even then, the nostalgia could get enough fans to make the "X" tournament more than worthwhile.

I think the thing that made the Final Five so good was the time of year-- tournament time, and a little bit of spring in the air, on occasion. Loved being able to walk around outside in between games after being couped up all winter. Of course the rivalries and great hockey played into it as well, but when you're fighting for better seeding position in the NCAA tournament, it adds to the intensity and sence of urgency a bit.

True, but one could also say that the Calgary Hitmen offered Tambellini the opportunity to play Major Junior and have more ice time.

I say if he has an offensive upside that can help us with goal scoring at some point next year, bring him in. Obviously if he isn't going to add that, then he might as well stay another year. Do what you need to do to make sure you have the right pieces in place to make sure we can get to that regional in Fargo. Wilkie is one of the few that has already signed his letter of intent. Correct?

I would say as in any relationship, you want to tread lightly on touchy subjects, especially when you need to get pertinent information for your readership. I do think there is a way to approach it without coming across as accusatory, and to this point, we don't know what actually happened. Brad doesn't have the luxury of going off with brash perceptions like you do, because he has to walk that fine line and foster relationships to be able to still get his readers information they want about recruits, potential recruits and what have you, well before they get out in the general media.

Yeah, we certainly didn't like it when Major Junior was operating behind the scenes to poach our recruits. Don't know if they had been in contact with Smith after he decommitted from Denver and said they didn't have room at present but there was mutual interest, and then offered him when this opened up, but nonetheless he was committed. Would be interested to have Brad talk to the coaches about that in the light that they know how it feels to have recruits poached, if indeed that is what happened.

If that were true, then Eades should have been fired for that. Bridges should never be burned because you never know when someone is going to develop, much less a kid still in high school, that by the way put up huge numbers. I am sure the competition was a concern, but I would think you would always keep a door wide open to one of the leading scorers in the state of Minnesota. I would also add that I don't hold a lot of credence in what some parents say, simply because they all seem to have an axe to grind. I have heard about parents this year and last that have very different thoughts about how good their kid is and how much they should be playing, compared to a fans perspective, nevermind a coaches.

I think that is probably something they do with a lot of kids, especially for the more elite programs that don't need to take a chance on players that aren't considered elite at the time. I think Morelli is another player that Blais jumped on early that UND needed to see more before offering. When you miss on those kinds of players though, it hurts your depth. Of course on the other end of the spectrum, UND has missed on elite players that committed then backed out, which also has hurt their depth and taken a toll on several recruiting classes now.

Funny that Adam Tambellini can score four points in 3 months with the junior varsity, but can score 4 points in one game with the varsity.

He stopped 46 of 47 shots in a game last weekend with Waterloo, which I believe was his first game with them.

What is the NCHC conference record against the Big Ten right now?

I believe his dad played for the gophers, so I would think that if he impresses in the USHL, they would have the inside track on him, but who knows.

Rather then questioning the moderators, perhaps you should look at yourself and ask the question what it is about your actions that has made you change your name on this board many times over. I think you are in a bit of denial with the "it's not me it's them" mantra.

Was great to get the sweep, but it was touch and go because of the inability to convert and increase the lead on the powerplay, When you have several chances to increase a one goal lead, you've got to at least use those powerplays to create or sustain momentum. This is especially the case if you get to the NCAA tournament and are in a one and done situation. The fact is that if you have three or four powerplays in a row like the Sioux did tonight and you don't extend the lead, chances are that the opposition is going to get a few chances to tie it up, or take the lead like Colorado College did tonight. Thankfully, they fought back and won, because that could have been a devastating loss going forward. If it's a matter of not bearing down until you need to, then that is a recipe for not winning in the NCAA tournament. Need to have the feeling that this may be the only powerplay they will be getting and needing to take advantage of it.