mikejm

^And considering the John only holds 10K, they don't have a lot of tickets that might go unsold. Now, if we're counting empty seats, that might be something altogether different.

Lots of love for the Sioux from USCHO

(Pssst. It's "cycle". As in cycle the puck.) The only thing that concerns my about this Sioux team, as many have already pointed out, is the power play. It isn't bad enough that we've developed a rather inefficient approach of late, but giving up 2 shorties on one power play Saturday certainly exposes a problem or two.

^'Tis merely a flesh wound........

As much as I like Blaiser, let's not get carried away here; this is the USHL we're talking about, not the NHL.

I'm right there with you in the crow-eating club. I am extremely proud of this team and each and every one of the young men wearing that sweater. Enjoy the night. 'Cause tomorrow starts the march the rest of the way.

^This is a major, major downer....... I thought this was supposed to be on.

There is no freakin' way Hakstol is letting this team take a relaxed approach this weekend, even if they clinch the Cup on Friday. The Sioux have been in playoff mode for a month now. Hak is not taking his foot off the pedal.

This is becoming more clear every weekend. Who is the opponent going to defend against?

You need to come over here and clean off my monitor. Right this minute!

They're all Blue Chippers, Goon. You should know that.

Jeeze I don't know Goon; Northeastern doesn't look like your typical over-rated East Coast patsy.

Duh.

I like what little I've seen of Blood; he made some little errors Saturday, mostly in trying to control the puck and get it out of the zone, but he looked like he knew he made the mistake immediately and looked for help. When a kid like that knows he's in trouble and looks to his d-mate, I figure more than half the battle is won.

^Not this crap again... The Gophers will play the night game if they are there.

You forgot this: DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

^they only try to avoid first-round conference matchups; beyond that it is rampant cannibalism.

That's funny!

The more I watch Vandy, especially the last month or so, the more convinced I am that this is his swan song as a Sioux skater. He just has all the physical tools and gifts. The Oilers, I'd guess, will pull him for camp next fall and get him on the fast track. He's quietly become a pretty dominant force.

Yeah, the Marine thing crossed my mind a couple of times over the last few years. A conversation I had with a former player gave me an indication that that is what is going on.

Whether or not it was directed at me, I'll confess that I was very frustrated with this hockey team after two months of play. I just didn't see a whole lot of jelling among linemates, and Hakstol's incessant tinkering was driving this anal old coot crazy. I am surprised, yet again, at how this coach can bring a team from what seems like a shambles at mid-season into a juggernaut every season. Is Hakstol's system so complicated that it takes that long for the players to "get" it? I don't understand, but I am honestly amazed at what I'm seeing again. Maybe Hak has a rider on his contract for home ticket sales in only the last two months of the season.

I'm partial to my seats right just off the goalie's right shoulder. I've been there since The Ralph opened. It is almost like being inside the game. But from a "see the play develop" standpoint, give me a corner, halfway up. That's where I sit at the X for the Final Five.

Yeah, think of that team! Although this year's vintage seems to have bonded in ways that our previous star-laden squads haven't.

^Yep. Got your back on that one, pal.

Yeah, who'd have believed this UND team would lead the WCHA in goal/game? And that Brad Eidsness would rank second in GAA and first in winning percentage. This is sort of starting to look like one of those perfect storm thingys...