mikejm

This whole Maine-Sioux connection is really one of the best stories in college sports. Maine is a classy program and Sean Walsh was a wonderful young man who was called home far, far too early. It is heart-warming to read all the support Sioux fans have expressed over the years for the Black Bears, and vice versa. As soon as the last east coast team was eliminated from this year's tourney, the USCHO board lit up with a bunch of Maine fans loudly proclaiming their support for the Sioux in the Frozen Four. Maine is top shelf stuff; unlike some of our WCHA co-horts.

The coach of each Frozen Four team is automatically a finalist for the Penrose award; no one even had to nominate Hak. Still it is a nice recognition for a coach having one whale of a first year.

Man, I thought you were going start in with that "It takes a village..." stuff. Thanks for stopping where you did.

I didn't see an option for: When the moon is in the Seventh House And Jupiter aligns with Mars Now this is really dating me, isn't it?

This sure doesn't sound like a team suffering from any nerves about their next roadtrip

(Climbing atop a small wooden box, formerly used to store soap products.) I've avoided posting in this thread because I can't decide how I feel about the "tribute". I saw the hit on Robbie in person and I am really surprised the kid is moving, let along walking, home already, etc. That was unquestionably the most vicious check I have ever seen. I, too was totally incensed at the 2-minute minor penalty; that feeling was only partially ameliorated when it was increased to a major and a game. Gwozdecky's added suspension helped even more. But I still don't know how I feel about the "28" on the Pios helmets. I know one thing that this whole deal has changed in my mind is that I no longer have any respect for DU or anyone associated with the program. And that's too bad. Denver University is a storied program with a lot of great players and coaches over the years. One of the first college hockey games I ever witnessed was the Pios coming into the "old" Ralph (then the Winter Sports Building) in 1973. The Sioux won, in overtime, against a vasty superior Denver squad, and I was hooked. I was devasted last year when the tipped shot beat Jordan late in the West Regional final, but I cheered for the Pios as they won their 6th NCAA title. This past weekend, I screamed and yelled at the television, hoping Bemidji or New Hampshire could beat Denver and end their season. This, in spite of the fact that I have always hoped for an all-WCHA Frozen Four to once and for all shut up all the easterners. As I said, I am ambivalent about their "tribute"; I don't even care anymore if G. Paukovich gets his "due" from someone. Well, that's not true, I just hope none of the Sioux are involved when he finally does get his payback. But I will never, ever pull for the Pios to win any match-up, even against the dirty goofies. I just can't stomach it. And that's too bad, for me, for college hockey and for the Pioneers. (Climbing down now, and returning to my nice warm spot under the rock.)

You don't sweat much for a fat girl

I'm not too sure about the veracity of this tidbit, but I'll post it anyway: I heard from my sister's neighbor's brother-in-law's plumber that Gary Bettman and Bruce McLeod have been negotiating the last couple of days. Apparently the NHL wants to buy the WCHA and operate the it as the top-level North American pro league next year. Word is that the purchase price is upwards of $700 million to be split among the ten member universities, and includes all players and logos, etc. The home rinks, obviously, are not included in the proposed sale, but would be leased by the NHL from each of the schools. Season ticket prices are yet to be determined.

As to Hockey LEast getting a whuppin: I saw something during the BU game that I have never, in over 30 years of watching hockey, witnessed. The Red Pepper line had the puck in the corner and started cycling it, essentially from the corner to the blue line and back. The Sioux were already up 3 or 4 zip, so I don't think they felt a lot of pressure to score. Anyway........ This cycling went on for well over a minute. Clement and Thorne even made comment about it. Then the Sioux started cycling a skater out of the "scrum" and actually made a complete line change, one player at a time, WITHOUT LOSING CONTROL OF THE PUCK! (Sorry for shouting). I think Clement said he too, had never seen such a thing. This adds nothing to the discussion, other than to illustrate the depth of the butt-thumping handed to Hockey LEast last weekend by the Boys in Green. And now back to our regularly-scheduled posting.

TFF

Nor, according to the dopes at the Strib, will Goligosky, who "had his left hand shoved into the boards". Although Goligoski admitted after the game that he banged his own hand on the boards. I wonder what color the sun looks to those people?

Was it just my tv, or does Jerry York sound an awful lot like Elmer Fudd?

Not only did Thorne/Clement continuously compliment, and, well, rave about Greene and Jones, Clement is absolutely in love with Matt Smaby. He talked about Matt's size, speed and immense reach. As I said, I think the whole team needs to listen to this broadcast...but not until after they finish with a little business in Columbus in a couple of weeks.

What a game! Having Thorne and Clement call the game was just a nice bonus to a great, grind-it-out effort by the Sioux. Between periods, they had a real hokey "meet the Sioux" kind of thing with Jordan, Quinn and Spirko. Sparky said his parents haven't seen him play hockey in two years, but he was going to take a bunch of dvds home with him so they could catch up on his play. I hope he takes this game with him. In fact I hope the whole team can watch the replay and listen to the high praise both Thorne and Clement laid on the Sioux. How much better would FSSN broadcasts be with a pair like these two instead of Howdy Doody and Biff the Sock Puppet?

Mmmmmmmmmmmm.........

Okay, here's my scenario: Game opens slowly, with some big, clean hitting. Greene and Fuher, especially, lay huge hits on smallish BU forwards, putting a psychological "trap" into effect. Puppies forwards adopt a "dump and get dumped" attack. In the meantime, the Red Pepper line shows how they earned their name and outwork Puppies in corner, digging puck free to Andy Schneider who rips a wicked wrister from the point for 1-0 lead. On the ensuing faceoff, Zajac feeds Stafford who takes both Puppy Dmen with him, then leaves a drop pass for Spirko who undresses Pup keeper for 2-0 lead, at about the 11 minute mark of the first. 28 seconds later Pups score to get back to within one, but this is their last hurrah. Sioux add 3 more: from Fylling, Greene and Porter. Jordan Parise makes but 19 saves.

Hate to cross post, but I've not seen anything on this here at SiouxSports. http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?t=48337

Good point DAR. As to the stickwork, I've been reading at GPL and USCHO how "dirty" the Sioux are, especially with the slash. The jungle drums went so far as to blame Goligoski's broken hand on a Sioux slash. Imagine my surprise while perusing the Minnesota Daily today when I read AG say he broke his hand "when he hit has hand on the boards" Saturday.

thought maybe you were going by feel

I really think after the Sioux beat BU, Columbus is just a short commute away. BC is quite small upfront: I think our Dmen beat them into submission early and they fold like the Goofies did in the FF 3rd place game.

Goon, You hit the nail right on the head. DU=classless hacks. However, I believe this is redundant

I hit the road for home right after the third-place game and found WCCO on the radio for post-game coverage. They had Minnesota's press conference so I got to listen to Lucy's devaluing the game. He said the difference in the game was between UND's "having to win" and the Gophers already having the #1 locked up. I found that a little demeaning. After they signed off from the X, the guy who came on the air had some very frank words about the Gophers not deserving a #1 seed. He went on to some great length about the tailspin Minnesota has been in, the suspect goaltending and the apparent dischord in the locker room. Interesting comments.

I'd guess the Sioux are going to have to at least match the money Edmonton will offer him.

Jerry York just proving again what a DOPE he truly is. He can't be serious!

So, he's at a convention for big talk show hosts; or he's at a talk show host convention that is big?