tnt

The last thing we need this early in the year is to have someone booted for an early season game. One moment of anger or lapse in judgement for checking from behind in the post season or when the fight for home ice and playoff position comes right down to it, and we will be without some leaders for games we need them. Remember this is a young team, leadership is important. I think it would show leadership to let this circumstance go and save themselves for the stretch run.

Can people from Canada play for the NDTP? I thought it was a training ground for developing U.S. talent for international play. Do these players have dual citizenship?

I agree with you JK because I don't like the flaming either. In fact I think both programs are developing great NHL defensemen, albeit different styles, and I think NHL general managers and coaches would like to have their talent in either program. I guess when fans from opposing teams come on and try to flame rather than make respectful posts with thoughtful points, I tend to get sucked in every now and again. See Sagard and Greyeagle for examples of thoughtful posts with sometimes opposing views. I guess I should follow my own advice and hit the ignore button.

How many UND defenseman play every night in the NHL? 1. Leopold 2. Martin 3. Ballard Finley wanted to go to the Sioux or the Gophers. Hakstol could promise he would suit up for every game while Lucia could not. I'm glad he didn't come here....we expect a little more than 3 points and 198 penalty minutes from our defenseman. He commited to UND and then the scouts shot him up 2 rounds? Smoking too much fertalizer up there man. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought that Brandon Wong committed to St. Cloud last year at some point. Did that fall through? If so, does anyone know what happened.

I had already clicked to reply to Skippy but then I figured the best way for him and others like him to disappear is not to respond. He is just looking for attention that his mother didn't give to him which is why he goes through life constantly intoxicated and identifies best with a sponge.

While I share your appreciation for how Matt Smaby played late last year, he didn't play great all year long. I do believe it is a sign of what we can expect of him this year, but traditionally points are focused upon a lot when determining All-American defensemen. I am sure Matt will put up more points with his new role, but I don't believe it will be enough to garner All-American status. I hope I am wrong.

It was an exhibition game for crying out loud. If you're going to draw all sorts of conclusions from one game, then the Minnesota Wild will win the Stanley Cup. It isn't a requirement on this board to be objective, what with the partisan nature, but it would sure be nice, if even ever so slightly.

Why didn't they just have people take their tests for them?

Besides, all North Dakota players have to do is be on the ice to get an assist.

I am just happy that St. Cloud decided to take the ball to start the game. The way their defense stopped the Sioux offense in the first half, they might have gained more momentum had they started on defense, and who knows how the complexion of the game changes. I think getting behind on the first play of the game really takes the wind out of the sails. If they play again and St. Cloud scores first -- who knows!

Hakstol thought they played very well and was impressed with Jones. For a first game against a veteran team that has already played, I thought they had a very nice outing. I would hope that people aren't going to pick at every mistake the freshmen make, because there are bound to be many of them, especially the first half of the year. I really didn't see anyone out there that made frequent mistakes. A mistake here and there is really to be expected. As long as they learn from them, the Sioux should be a pretty good team by the second half of the season.

I for one believe he will put up some pretty impressive numbers, especially considering some of the opponents the gophers will be playing on the large ice surface. I would be interested to know how many points you think he will put up? Remember, the people who pick those teams aren't going to use the same arguments about him being a one-way player that a lot of Sioux fans do.

Looks like Travis Zajac was right about his brother. I see he had a goal last night on top of a roughing penalty and the trifecta of fighting, instigating and misconduct penalties. Chay Genoway also scored for Vernon.

Is Spirko even going to play? Tim Hennesey said he was injured.

Not a sign, but I think it would be great if the Sioux would wear jerseys during the tournament with "Your non-offensive name here" printed on them. It would be nice if someone took them to task on it, but the sanctions would be hard to deal with.

Notice you didn't respond to the question. Warrior is not a people is that o.k. to use, as well as chiefs? Don't expect you to respond to this either because any time you can't answer you just gloss over it, which as most people can see is par for the course for you.

One question for you. Can we claim our own people? Would you or other Native Americans have a problem if we called ourselves the fighting cavalry? My bet is that you would be complaining about that. By your assertion that we are claiming other cultures, you are saying there is a sense of pride we have in your culture. Seems to go against your argument that we are degrading you. And by chance if we changed the name to cavalry, what would your stance be if we chose to do a film clip stating why we chose to be the cavalry -- courage, honor, winning battles and ultimately making way for the lifestyle we lead today. I guarantee more Native Americans would take offense to that. I myself would take offense to that but included it to illustrate a point. You would not allow us to be proud of our culture, nor yours, so what is left, some arbitrary symbol with no pride whatsoever?

Maybe we need to start to do the tomahawk chop and the chant that goes with it. While we're at it, why not have a white guy throw a flaming spear into the earth to help get the approval of the tribes. Wow, where is the common sense. Of course the NCAA does stand for "No Common Analytical Ability".

This is what I call the high road, not a Denny Green self-righteous self-subscribed "high road".

O.k. lets say she didn't know and now does. Will she pull her offer? What would your response be if she didn't?

There is so much I could say but won't. It's obvious nobody is going to change your mind about what the Alerus means to Grand Forks, or vice versa. The one thing I can say is that it is a reality -- deal with it.

The old civic auditorium lost almost exactly the same as the Alerus from what the media have written in the past. Let's see Alerus Center vs. Civic Auditorium. No brainer if you ask me. You can be upset about the way things are presented to the people of Grand Forks, but to me if you are saying Grand Forks would be better off without the Alerus, I'd have to ask you what you've been smoking. I am convinced that there are many businesses, mainly restaurants that I don't think would be here without the Alerus. I am sure no one is complaining about the offspin businesses, except maybe competing businesses. One other point, you can't fault the Alerus for losing the same as the Civic especially considering the Ralph wasn't a blimp on the screen when the Alerus was scheduled to be built. Should city leaders have disallowed a spectacular arena to be built so that their pet project could succeed a little better? Grand Forks is a much better place to live because of both facilities, especially when you consider where we were right after the flood.

I have an example to show you why it is nice living in North Dakota. You saw all the looting and crime in New Orleans during Katrina, well during our 500-year flood in 1997 you didn't have any of that garbage going on, just people helping people -- and grumbling I guess. In fact, I remember one guy calling the radio station and telling everyone his address and that his house was open and if anyone could get to it by boat they could take the stuff in the freezer before it rots. A little too trusting in my eyes, but at least it is good to know that people still have faith in each other. It never fails to amaze me how many people in Grand Forks still leave their houses open in today's day and age. Wish that feeling of safety wasn't tarnished for the rest of us.

Classy post. I am glad the Sioux team are gracious winners, because it makes up for riff-raff like you.