tnt

I remember going with my dad when I was very young and the things that sticks out in my mind was the chicken wire that kept the pucks from going out of play. Unlike pounding on the plexiglass now, you could really make an impression on the opposition if you pounded on the chicken wire -- literally! The other thing I remember is how cold it was. Everyone would go underneath the stands to the concession area between periods just to get warm. It was very crowded, and second hand smoke made it seem like there was a fire burning somewhere. Also seemed like everybody had a thermos full of something to keep warm. No alcohol served back then, but I imagine there was plenty in the building anyway. We certainly have come a long way since then.

Let's not forget that the gophers used to make their living from the powerplay in the past. I always remember thinking that if the Sioux play the gophers 5 on 5 the Sioux most likely would come out on top. Last year it was the opposite, as the Sioux scored many goals on the powerplay. The margin between winning and losing right now in the WCHA is scoring one more special teams goal than your opponent. That's why if you have a quarterback on the powerplay like we had with Genoway, it is a huge difference maker. I like our skill guys this year, but let's face it, if a guy like Bjugstad or Haula can make an impact in their freshmen seasons on the powerplay, even with the departures, Minnesota could still be very competitive.

Nevermind the fact that the biggest knock on Lucia is that he doesn't develop players. Now one develops and he gets criticism from another angle. He can't win any which way. While I think Chicago's need is a bigger player in them taking Leddy, he must have developed to some degree.

All I can say is Pride goeth before a fall, so I wouldn't get too haughty lest we find ourselves in the same position.

If you are talking about Poulin, I think she committed to Boston University who the Sioux play early this year.

What kind of accomplishments does Schmaltz have? What level of competition? Has he participated on any select teams and done well? Any info would be great.

Is this another circumstance where the Little Caesars tournament paid off big time?

It's July, any more on the Grimaldi front? Wasn't July supposed to be the decision making month for him? I have no problem with him taking his time, as long as he makes the right decision.

Which political beliefs do you agree with, the beliefs he eschews to try and make money, or his beliefs over the years which seem to change when money is involved. Tim Hennessey and Scott Swygman just laugh at his transformation. The thing is, it should come as no surprise as his outrageous comments favoring the Bison and slighting the Sioux flip-flopped quite quick as well. Never liked him even when he did play by play for the Sioux. Full of hot air just like most politicians.

I agree with Brad Schlossman, that it would result in the puck being shot into the stands to relieve the pressure or to get to make a line change. Would serve the NCAA right if someone got hit by a puck and sued them for such a stupid proposal. I guess they want to make games longer by pucks going out of play or simply shuffling the puck to the goalie to freeze during a powerplay. At least the clock keeps running when the puck is iced when a team is shorthanded. Shows that the people making these proposals aren't hockey people because they don't think about the unintended consequences.

Anybody know anything on Josh Archibald taken 126th in the USHL entry draft recently. Since he is from Brainerd, I assume he is Jim Archibald's kid. Wonder if anyone knows if any colleges are interested. Was taken ahead of Gavin Tufte who some say the Sioux are interested in, and is younger. Not that draft position dictates how good you are or will be.

Anyone know why they decided not to renew the contract of Maria Lewis? Who are strong candidates to replace her?

This might have been mentioned before, but they said UND is the only University that offers a Bachelor's degree in UAS. Like to hold on to that monopoly.

That's what I was hoping, but I thought he was going to wait until July to make a decision.

I would hardly call it stealing from the gophers, since they basically ushered him out.

I have a feeling if you try take in Ryan Walters at UND for this year, you run the risk of frustrating recruits that most likely at this point have been told they are coming in. Sounds like a nice player, but is that risk worth it? As far as him needing to work on not being so "chirpy" or chippy for that matter, I would think that position would have become available on the team after Lucia's son graduated. If that was actually said, then he has quite the nerve, considering his own offspring.

How so?

Yes, I hope he didn't turn in mid stream and say "Hey, I know you"!

In the sense that it is about one organization telling the people "we know what is right for you", it is kind of a liberal position. Liberals want big government and oversight. The NCAA is exactly the same. That said, I don't think the nickname is a black and white issue as evidenced by the overwhelming bipartisan support for the nickname from both sides of the political spectrum.

No, they don't come in to ride the pines --- unless they aren't able to perform up the level required of them to be in the lineup. I am sure Fienhage didn't come in to ride the pines either being a high draft pick, but he is. Just because you are highly touted does not mean you will automatically see playing time. David Toews hasn't got to play as much as everyone thought either, but I don't see anyone pleading his cause. Ben Blood stepped up after he didn't get playing time last year. That's what is required -- stepping up.

I find it interesting that Major Juniors bills itself as the next best thing to sliced bread, yet seems to want to take in NCAA hockey players that aren't getting playing time. Hmmm.

The MacNaughton cup last year, the Broadmoor trophy this year, what's left for next year?

Yes, remember when Toews missed some games because of a concussion and blamed himself for having his head down. I guess that is what you would expect from someone who isn't prone to whine about anything. Interesting to know Mr. Lunsetter's background. Would have been nice to have that thrown in at the end of his editorial so everyone can understand where his jaded perspective is coming from.

I see on INCH's wish draft list they say that Sioux fans' biggest concern is goaltending. I would think it would be healthy defensemen. I think the worry of any team is that their goalie will have a bad game at the wrong time, which has happened to the Sioux in the NCAA tournament a few times in their last game. That said, I don't think the goaltending was a worry beforehand, bad games just happen to even the best goaltenders, and in a one and done tourney, it's game over. I don't know of a goalie that isn't susceptible to a bad game every now and then, as indicated by Marc Cheverie last weekend against Wisconsin. Oh, and by the way, they have the Sioux logo in the place where Bemidji States logo is supposed to be. They must like the logo too.

I guess the people who post stuff like that when things are going bad, then turn around and trash talk about how great and unbeatable the Sioux will be on the way to number 8 are the posters that bother me the most. To me you can't have it both ways, but then again I guess you can. Everybody gets frustrated at certain points of the year, but I guess from past experience, you would think that there would always remain a thread of hope and trust that the ship can always be righted as it has been continually in the past. Just like I never count out other teams ability to turn things around, I certainly wouldn't count out ours with the track record they have had.