mikejm

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...

I think Miller deserves real consideration as team MVP this year for what he's accomplished. He stabilized a D-corp that could've been pretty shell-shocked after Finley's concussion, adding a calming, senior presence. He's also been a stud offensively; he picked a great time to have his best offensive year. He will be missed in very quiet, but very important ways when he graduates.

Couple of questions popped into my head: 1. Marto. Poke check. Make anyone nervous yet? He relied on it a bunch Sunday. 2. Is it possible they actually practice that shot that resulted in Zajac's game-winner? That's the second time the exact same scenario has resulted in a huge goal. The first time it happened I heard one of the particpants mention the "work on that". Low, far-side pad; playing the carom for the easy clean-up by the trailer. That's a great play, if it is a play.

That was one heckuva hockey game kids. Aside from about the first six minutes of the second period, UND controlled this game; I hate hate hate the cycle, but they worked it well tonight. After coming out of the locker room really flat for the start of the second, they started really throwing the bodies around and flipped the game for themselves. I thought Blood played a pretty solid, safe game; he seemed to know enough to get rid of the puck when he was in trouble; having Miller beside him had to be calming for the kid. Davidson on the fourth line was refreshing; he was throwing his weight around whenever he was on the ice. Watkins had a great senior night, and saved a sure goal after Eidsness left a fat, juicy rebound at the edge of the crease. Kozek was an animal. The Sioux need to tighten up the penalty kill really fast or that will come back to haunt them down the stretch. All in all, I thought the Sioux played a really good game against a very good hockey team. UND was flat for a spell and that cost them the lead, but a gutty performance to kill the penalty in OT and get the win. One game at a time; one win at a time.

I know what you're saying, but I think it is time for the strong hockey schools and conferences to bite the bullet and start doing things for the greater good. We're down to what, 59 DI hockey schools now? College hockey is already insignificant to a great deal of the country; now is not the time to stand by and let another team or two go by the wayside.

^Without regard to the OP's intent, the jungle drums have indeed been pounding about whether or not it is time for the UMTC to go on without tDon. Both fishwrap factories' blogs have been filled with some "professional" speculation on the subject. I think tDon's future at UMTC is a valid topic. Whether or not Blais would go there is another, and completely unrelated topic. I think Dean has a pretty good gig in Fargo, as long as Ace Brandt is willing to keep cutting checks.

^I'm leaning in Whistler's direction here.

I agree with you that Brad is MIP. What he's done on the ice and off this season is simply amazing.

Hey! I don't care if this is your board. There will be no talk like this around here, young man...

I think jim's charts point out how volatile this whole thing is now. The Sioux really don't have a luxury of phoning in a game or two in these next two weeks. They might need to win out to be really "safely in" the tournament. Damn those losses out east in October and that doggone GLI stinker really came back to haunt them...

Did you read the article you linked?