tnt

We didn't lose the NCAA title to the Badgers in Engelstad Arena, we lost in the WCHA playoffs, which effectively ended our chance at an NCAA title.

I thought Hakstol was using those games not as a low point, but a turning point because they played well the whole weekend except for a couple minutes, which of course cost them the Saturday game. Funny Dubay didn't mention how shocked he is that the Sioux are in the Frozen Four, because they really aren't that good.

If Kozek has an inkling of what he plans to do at the end of the season, I certainly have a ton of respect for him for putting that aside and concentrating on taking care of business on the ice. If he chooses to leave and has laid everything on the line in an effort to help lead us to the National Championship, I can wish him well and say thanks for your dedication to the program, and go get'em at the next level. At the end of the season he needs to do what's best for him, and right now he is doing what is best for the team, and that in a nutshell is Sioux hockey.

Didn't we lose 5 players early a couple years ago? Although Spirko didn't go pro, he was an early loss regardless, and a big loss. Zajac, Jordan Parise, Smaby and Stafford also left that year I believe. That's what makes it so impressive to get to the Frozen Four in 4 consecutive seasons.

I just hope whatever they do redshirt-wise in the future, it allows us to put our best possible team on the field for the first year we will be eligible for the FCS playoffs.

Why doesn't the Ralph show it on the video board?

I have 2 packages for the entire tournament in section 210 row 7. I am asking what I paid, which is $65 for each package.

I think that is the point they are trying to make, his stock would be at its highest now. I don't care what anyone says, 16 goals in this league is very good and to diminish that doesn't make sense to me. Could he repeat or better that next year? Maybe, maybe not. It really wouldn't surprise me if he left, but it would be nice to have that shot back next year, especially since they will need to replace some scoring punch.

By the way, is there something different in the way Lucia responded compared to how Zajac cross-checked Anderson in Minneapolis? Oh yeah, the Mankato player was much closer to the boards and in a more dangerous position. Where are the cries for suspension there?

I only got to see the overtime periods in a couple games, but there seemed like a lot of times that Kangas was on his back and being piled into. I also saw the recap of other times, including one where Kangas got whacked in the mask with a stick. Whether any or all of them were intentional, my point is that if the Sioux ran into the goalie that many times, there would be no question in the minds of others whether it was intentional or not, they would be guilty. My knowledge base only comes from these games and our games with the Mavericks, but it doesn't seem like you can hit the goalie that many times without there being some culpability on the part of the Mavs. Hakstol himself said the time for fighting is done, so I don't know how the Sioux would have responded in the playoffs had the situation been the same. I think retaliation would have to come in a different form.

I guess I haven't seen what people at GPL are saying, but aside from the Pohl incident, it seems like Mankato ran into Kangas more times than can be explained away by crashing toward the net. Does anybody else think that if the Sioux ran into Kangas that many times, it would be the big, bad Sioux syndrome applied? I know the Sioux became villains for taking matters into their own hands when Bruess et al. ran into Lamoureaux. Would the gophers have responded in kind if it weren't a playoff game?

"like we haven't seen"? What team have you been watching? You do know that the Sioux play in a tough league and that other teams are out to compete as well. When an 18 game unbeaten streak isn't enough, you know that expectations have gotten to the point of being unrealistic.

I guess the one to ask if Hakstol does it too, would be Aaron Ness then. Because if he were ever to do it, I would think Ness would be the one to approach, especially after all the press about Lucia not developing Okposo. Not saying he didn't develop him, just that the story was out there.

That may indeed be the case, but Don Lucia has been on record as saying it wouldn't bother him if it became commonplace to recruit kids after they verballed. Wonder why that is?

Don't you think the same thing could have been said when Jordan Parise was playing rather than Phil. When you have a goaltender playing as well as Phil, it is hard to want to throw in someone else, even if that person might warrant playing more.

Same here. I don't buy much, but would definitely buy some for the glass itself. It might be hard for them to understand the mind of the average Sioux fan. Not that I'm average mind you.

Yeah, it's too bad we won't have TJ "Oshman whose your dadda" around for another year. He appears a man among boys this year. Can you imagine another year to dominate? I find it odd that we have great players like Oshie and Duncan and they aren't promoted as much as they could be. Why they don't have the beer or pop glasses with the 3D photos like they did with Parise is beyond me. They could also sell the mini donuts as Duncan donuts at a reduced cost when he scores a goal. I think the promotion department is missing the boat on them a bit. Of course the fans could do more with it too. Fans could put their arms in a big "O" when Oshie is introduced or scores a goal. I guess maybe we'll have to wait for the next batch of stars to promote them better.

Also interesting that Red River might have done the best job of holding down Ness, Landman and Roseau. In fact, save for one questionable call late in the game and Red River might have not only shut out Roseau, but might have been the only blemish for Roseau and Mike Lee. Lee sure proved his worth in that game, stopping no less than 4 breakaways. Nice to see the best teams in North Dakota very competitive with the best teams in Minnesota.

Looks like in a year or two, the Sioux might have 3 of the best skating defensemen they have had, with Gleason, Genoway and Marto. By adding the beef in Blood, Fienhage, and MacWilliam, they will have a nice mix. Looks like they've got a nice start beyond that too with Clarke and Mattson.

Could just be that you hear that because that is the circles you are around -- Sioux people. Not doubting that some feel that way, just that guys like Ryan Walters and other top-end talent aren't flinching at verbaling to the gophers. I suspect we will always get our share and vice versa. There are always players around this area that aren't always pre-disposed to want to play for the Sioux either. I would have been absolutely giddy if the Sioux could have landed Aaron Ness. Of course we want all the top-end guys, but it makes for great battles in the future when we each get our share of blue-chippers.

I don't think it will ever be the case where the gophers have no chance against the Sioux and vice versa. Too much of a rivalry to be that one-sided. I remember years where you would have thought there was no chance the Sioux would beat the gophers and did, and remember being on the other side of the spectrum. Remember, the first sweep they had in Minneapolis since 1981 came only last year, and there have been some awesome Sioux teams that have come and gone since then.

what makes him an asshole??? he might "hate" the sioux program but he respects the hell out of it, give us credit when it's due, and LOVES the rivalry between our beloved team and his beloved team........so i repeat...what makes him an asshole??

I am by no means defending bad behavior, but every fan base has a contingent of idiots. Remember, they are hesitant to give out anything at UND games for fear it will get thrown on the ice at inopportune times. The lack of respect for other people is rampant everywhere, not just sporting events. It would be nice if more people would live by the Golden Rule, but I'm not holding my breath.

Keep in mind that the coaches chose to bring in Frattin this year rather than Gregoire, so they evidently thought he would help more this year, whether that was due to injury and a short season last year by Gregoire, only the coaches can say. While I think they will do well, skating circles around people as a freshman is a tall order and it is a crapshoot who will adjust right away.

Don't the Sioux play at Mariucci next year?