tnt

He's a junior in High School! Let him take his sweet time. Should the Sioux have pulled Grimaldi's offer because he took an extra month or two? I think it's pretty arrogant to think that kids should know NOW what they want to do in a couple years. Part of the reason you get a lot of these decommits is because kids commit so early. When I said he should have all the evidence he needs now, doesn't mean it feels right for him now. Maybe he is waiting to see what plays out with the gophers -- maybe not. Should players that the Sioux are looking at commit elsewhere when they don't have a commitment from the Sioux right away? It goes both ways. The coaches have reasons for holding out on an offer, likewise players want to be sure that they are making the right decision for them and their career. Let's face it, the Sioux wouldn't have Jason Gregoire now or Colton St. Clair in the future, if they adhered to that philosophy.

I got to see Mattson play in Fargo the other week and he looked better than St. Clair on that occasion. I think people are putting too much emphasis on stats. These aren't the USHL days of Kevin Hoogsteen and Greg Johnson where you have 100+ point seasons. In fact, on a night in and night out basis you would have a hard time telling between guys that have college scholarships in hand and those that are still hoping to get the call. I suppose guys like Grimaldi stick out on a nightly basis, but guys like him are few and far between. Look at a guy like Seth Ambroz for example. He has a goal and an assist in 6 games, yet it is possible he is a top 10 pick in the NHL draft, although supposedly his stock is falling a little bit. I see a guy like Mattson as a good role player. Fast, and from what I saw, a good penalty killer. Don't know if he would have the same opportunity on the powerplay here, but whose to say. I know I thought LaPoint would be the offensive stud here at UND, and look at the role he is playing now, Friday's game aside. That role is no less important. I find myself looking at stats for the purpose of quantifying how good they are, or could be, but I see many of the players that came to UND with high expectations and big stats seemed to underperform or not be as important as some of the role players that came in with low expectations. I'm sure everyone can think of a few players like that.

I remember a time when the Sioux would be about the only top program in the country that didn't have USA team members in their program and used to get a lot of our recruits from Shattuck. Now it seems it has gone the other way, although Koules played at Shattuck. I would assume they have prospects for defense for next year that they are waiting for verbals from.

I don't know, it wouldn't surprise me if he is holding out to see if Minnesota turns it around a bit. I would think he has all the other information he needs to make an informed decision. If he waits to the end of the year, there also could be talk of new coaches at Minnesota if things aren't going well, so if he wants to go there he might want to see where things are heading. On the positive side if he hasn't deciced before the season, he will get to play at the Ralph a few more times before making his decision in the Jason Statstad tournament.

So does Mario Lucia wait to see what happens to his dad before commiting to Minnesota? I think it's safe to say that the North Dakota wouldn't be an option anyway, the way tDon whines about their style of play. Kind of funny how he and Minnesota fans despise it, but then say how Minnesota needs to be more like that.

Thanks for the kiss of death! And I can name a number of reasons he might not come here, among them being staying close to where his parents can see him play and schooling. It all depends on what is important to him and his goals.

Any reason given? Any animosity for his dad being slighted on 3 or so attempts to coach at UND?

To me if you offered to him, you either want him or you don't. Why would you leak out "cooling" if you still want him in the fold. Maybe they aren't as confident as Hakstol is in tapping his potential and want him to be a finished player so they can't be accused of screwing him up.

Tickets sold.

Was thinking the same thing. And what is cooling, changing the scholarship offer? If they're not sure, tell Michaelson and we'll take him.

I think intensity is going to have a lot to do with the results this weekend. I don't know if the Sioux will be able to match the intensity at the beginning of the game on Friday, but if they can be close most of the weekend, they could have good results. Their lack of success against us in the past is incentive enough, but throw in the opening of a new building that they will want to usher in with a victory, and the Sioux better be ready to play from the drop of the puck on Friday. The one positive is that it will be a league game and the Sioux will want to start off on the right foot. Hopefully the Sioux will show A.J. Michaelson why he should want to be a part of their team in the future with the intensity and grittiness that is the hallmark of the Sioux tradition.

No. It's too difficult to try and sell some of the less attractive series separately.

I have two season tickets in Section 302A for sale on the end the Sioux shoot twice. These seats are on the aisle in a row of only six seats above the entryway in the upper deck. $780 for both.

Grimaldi with a goal and 4 assists with 6 shots as Team USA puts up a 10 spot on gopher recruit Joel Vienneau. Also Michael parks with 2 goals and 4 shots against Fargo.

Mussman happy with the way the defense battled. Talked about the four players that went down with injuries making it a shell of a defense. Problem with that is that they had all of those players in the first half and still could not stop Southern Utah.

No kidding! I will be mad if we miss any of the hockey game because of the football game. Know where your bread is buttered.

Remind me again what side of the ball the coaches thought they could hang their hat on? It was quite obvious that Southern Utah had no respect for the Sioux defense. Where were the adjustments at halftime. Not exactly what you want your alumni to see. When was the last time a Sioux team was totally dominated on both sides of the ball like this at homecoming, or anytime for that matter. The more and more I look at it, it appears to be the schemes rather than the personnel. At least I would hope that the talent level isn't that big of a discrepancy. I actually bought into the confidence the defensive coaches were gushing over at the beginning of the year.

Interesting per Brad's blog that Hakstol may dress 7 defensemen at some point, although not tonight. That would make the competition at forward even greater, especially if that 7th defenseman isn't Gleason.

Friday: Trupp Saturday: Frattin

It's a hybrid icing that seemingly would protect the players. If the offensive player beats the defending player to the faceoff dots, the icing is waved off. It allows some space so a guy doesn't get drilled into the boards by trying to stop icing at the puck itself.

While Rowney doesn't have the flash, sometimes you just need grinders that are going to wear down the other team with their cycling and who are willing to fill a role of helping shut down a top line. UND has traditionally had a great formula of guys that aren't noticed too much, but fulfill an important role nonetheless. Sometimes it is a good thing if they aren't noticed, because they did their job. A lot of times those roles change as players are able to take on more responsibility and gain the necessary confidence.

Just remembered I didn't recall seeing Jordan Slavin out there today. Anyone know why she didn't play? She should be one of our best on defense.

It certainly was nice that they could put Monique back on defense in important situations. Their defense could really use a difference-maker, but they are pretty young, so maybe someone will step up. The nice part is that they can always fill in with the Twins in key situations in any game, so they should be competitive with the best. Only wish they had Karvinen to add to the mix this year.

I will only say that with the examples that have been in the public eye for the last few years, that I would hope that players would think twice about this kind of activity, especially when the team is primed for a great season. I guess kids will be kids, but I don't think it is too much to ask that there is a little self-sacrifice for a common good or at least a little more discrete behavior. I think if most players can focus so hard on getting to the pros by sacrificing most of their time and energy on making themselves better, they should be able to hold off for a year or two in "other pursuits". I don't think it has to be a given that all kids drink underage, especially for those that deny themselves in so many other ways with their time and energy.

Please keep the facility, as if they get a better facility recruiting will only get better and they will be beating us more consistently than they do now.