tnt

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.

I think he was asking Meirekort what the long bomb in the endzone on the last play was all about. We talked earlier this year about stuff like that, and although I don't care that much one way or another, I definitely wouldn't want our coaches to be pulling that with a few seconds left and a 10-point lead. I'm glad UND defended that pass, otherwise people would have been sidetracked by that play instead of what UND has to do to play more consistently.

Danny Mattson off to a good start in the regular season with a goal, an assist and 5 shots on goal in a 4-2 win against Fargo. Gothberg took the loss in goal.

I can't begin to guess who is going to sit at defense on a regular basis. With the depth at forward it doesn't seem likely that they will dress 7 defensemen, unless of course Gleason is in at forward/defense. I can guess that what seemed to be relatively minor bumps and bruises that were nagging injuries last year might be given an extra day or two to heal in light of the depth at defense, and that is a good problem to have.

I would bet that almost everybody will get at least a little time against Manitoba. After that, I would imagine the competition will be fierce between Rodwell, Davidson, Cichy, Bruneteau and possibly Nelson. I'm sure each will have a chance to prove themselves. Could be that some step up more than others in that opportunity, and possibly some might be better suited for some types of games than others. You might not see Cichy for a very physical series, but you might see him on large ice surfaces. Bottom line is that whoever proves themselves in the opportunities they get will obviously get playing time. Nothing new here!

I think we have 8 great defensemen. Didn't Gleason lead the team in +/- last year? It will be interesting to see if he is playing forward right away or defense. I guess it might depend on whether Marto is ready or not. Also wouldn't be surprised to see a Blood or MacWilliam paired with Genoway to let him free wheel, plus someone to lay the smack down on anyone who even looks at Genoway wrong. Forwards look about what I was thinking although it's possible Rowney is at wing with Lamoureux and Nelson is center on line 4. I guess I can see both ways. I'm sure they'll play with combinations to see what works, but the first two lines seem like solid bets.

"Obviously how the coaches play the game and how they expect you to play", was the quote that stuck out to me. Is he even sure if Lucia and company are going to be at Minnesota? From what everybody says he is a great talent. Would be nice to line him up next to Grimaldi and possibly Rowe on the powerplay in the future and possibly still have Simpson around and Schmaltz. He would have a nice surrounding cast either place he plays, but you would love to see Grimaldi and him together. Could be the only time he sees the Bemidji arena if he chooses the Gophers and they join the Big Ten.