mikejm

I agree that Smaby is talented; he's just become very tentative in his approach to playing defense, both in covering opposing players in our zone and in moving the puck out to center ice and beyond. I know that Matt hangs with Chris Porter a lot; I've run into them several times this year at the Pepper and in the Ralph during the WJC. Chris is always positive and the leader of the two; Matt hangs back and follows Porter's lead, socially at least. With that being said, and watching how Chris has been playing, especially the last four or five series, I would expect that Matt's off-ice influences are nothing but positive and reassuring. I have a feeling that Smaby's tentativeness, particularly with the puck, comes from being burned a couple times. Now he's trying so hard NOT to turn over the puck that he's become an easy read for opposing team's forecheck. I have been critical of Matt's play, but it is because I have such high expectations of him. He's a big, strong, talented kid (2nd round draft choice - Tampa). If he can feed off his pal's energy and assertiveness he'll be a heckuva player. He's got a great sidekick in Porter and can really go nowhere but up from the slump he's fallen into. I remember the night two or three years ago when Nick Fuher "came of age"; several people in my section said they'd seen him "become a man" that game. I'm waiting for Matt's coming out party.

From my seat behind Lammy: Schneider's penalty late in the 3rd was a job! It happened right in front of me and Andy clearly pulled up on the hit. Yes the Beaver hit the boards, but he was there before Andy hit him. Campion (ref) was out of position, and saw the play from behind, not from the boards where he should have been. Schneider was right to complain all the way to the box. Quinn, Colby, Chris Porter all played great games. I don't think Colby is really comfortable on the wing. He is a natural centerman. Fylling was fun to watch, he was in people's face most of the night. Chris Porter worked hard all night; driving to the net, trying to get free in the offensive zone. I am really concerned about the D; Andy just flat out left his man alone in the slot on, I think the second BSU goal. It was ugly. I hate to say it 'cause he's a nice kid, but Matt Smaby is rapidly becoming a liability. He's tentative with the puck leading to LOTS of turnovers in our own zone. I watched him stand...yes stand...all alone for entire shifts in front of Lammy when he should've been planted on some Beav's backside or tying up a stick. Matt Jones is not flashy, but he's the only stablizer on the ice last night. You take Jones, Fuher, Schneider and Greene out of the D rotation and next year could be REALLY ugly. I hope these kids coming in can immediately play with the big boys. Prpich was off his game; lots of trash-talking but not a lot otherwise. Massen needed to come up big and had about 1-1/2 shifts of effectiveness. Zajac and Spirko continue to amaze me and will become real stars. I thought Stafford played well in spots, although not as steadily as he needs to. A big surprise for the night was how well Lee Marvin filled in on D; I thought he played very well. Nothing spectacular, but he didn't scare me the way Smaby has this season. Offensively the Sioux need to focus more on getting the puck into the slot; they cycle behind the net and to the boards, but it just never seems to get into a good scoring position. I know they're trying to work it to the post and find a lurker there to jam the puck in, but aside from Stafford, and maybe Colby when he's centering a line, I don't know who we have to get in front and stay there. One real tell on the team was the power play, what, late in the 2nd? We were still getting outshot pretty horribly, and they just simply took control of the puck, and tempo and the entire ice sheet. I think they threw 6 or 7 shots on goal and eventually scored to get to 2-3. That was a powerful example of the skill present. This is still a pretty talented team; I am not surprised by the dearth in scoring. And, as someone else pointed out, we did move up one slot in PRI in spite of the tie. The intensity the Sioux showed in the 3rd was fun, and that needs to be the rule from here on out. Still have 16 league points available, and 10 or 12 are quite possible. But they'll not be easy or convincing wins. I think this team has a chance to do something if they can get into the NCAAs and if they can carry some energy throughout an entire game.

I've seen Brian and the Spuds play a handful of times this year, and I think Lee's got a target on his back since the WJC. Ever since all the press about he was the only high schooler on the team, etc. teams (or, more accurately opposing players) have had him in their sights. I watched Brian get knocked solidly on his kiester not once but twice during the Warroad game. I don't remember who hit him, and was frankly surprised that at least one of the hits didn't result in a penalty. He was skating in the neutral zone, quite a ways away from the play when he was flattened. Everyone wants to hit the "all star" to pump up his own rep. Brian remains a great high school hockey player who has worked very, very hard to improve his body and his game. The scholarship awaiting him in Grand Forks and being named to the USA team for WJC are proof of his talents.

Seems Wookie and others left a wake of carnage behind them in Grand Forks. http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20050128/1009781.asp

I disagree with your comments about Fylling: he's a constant presence on offense, digging for loose pucks, etc. He has not scored what I had hoped he would (but that tag is applied to the whole team). He missed a back check Friday that cost the game-winner, but his effort on offense should not be criticized. As to a D-man to lead a rush, I think Schneider and Fuhrer both are trying to carry that torch. I agree that this team is going to have to find a way to win the 2-1 and 1-0 games. The problem is time is running out.

I hate to bad-mouth Matt Smaby 'cause I think he's a nice young man, but he had a lousy weekend: indecisive, slow to get to the puck, etc. His poor passing resulted in several turnovers in the Sioux zone. I remember a couple years ago when Nick Fuhrer had a "coming of age" series; it was plain to everyone in the arena that Nick had arrived. That's what Matt needs: a solid, preferably stellar performance. And with the defense about to be gutted through graduation and early departure, the Sioux need Matt to play up to his potential.

Friday's game at The Ralph featured...cowbells and those big long plastic horns, all courtesy the LandCow fans in the upper deck. Thought they were illegal.

I think the cowbell is as much a part of hockey as is the 50-50 drawing. I loved hearing the clanging during the Juniors. Also the "U-S-A U-S-A" chant. Couldn't it be "U-N-D U-N-D"?

wtf?

I don't know folks...just got home from the game and was shocked after reading the stats on uscho. The stats simply don't tell the story of this game. I sit behind Sioux goalie two periods each game and felt the Gophers dominated the first (yet only outshot the Sioux 14-11). After the Sioux killed off Todd Anderson's whistle-happy 5-on-3s, I really thought the momentum shifted noticably. And yet, the Sioux were outshot 26-12 for the final two periods. Some horrible defensive turnovers inside the zone, by guys who are normally bulletproof: Greene and Smaby put pucks right on Gopher sticks countless times. Had not Jordie come up big, or the forwards played well defensively, things could've gotten out of hand. After Colby's goal, I think the Gophers were scared to come into the Sioux zone with any speed after getting their hats handed to them several times during the night. There were some vicious hits. Yes Anderson called a lot of penalties; but the Sioux had most of them coming. Some very dangerous cross-checks, both behind and in front of the goal. I don't know why they don't name three stars of the game at the Ralph, but mine would be 1. Jordan; 2. Zajac; and 3. Colby. Poltulny and Irmen could argue for mention as well, but I'm a homer. I don't like a penalty-filled game, but if the calls are even its bearable. The Sioux may have been called for an extra here and there, but they deserved a couple of those 5-on-3 for their nasty stickwork. To sum it up: This was a huge gut-check, from the heart game for the Sioux. They could've folded, especially after taking the third 5-on-3. But they dug deep and took two points from the dirty Gophers, when another team might not have. Saturday's going to be interesting to see how both teams react.

56>10 Too funny. I can hardly wait to see how this sits with our friends in Gopherville.

Just back home after watching the boys in action. A few observations: Stafford and Zajack were (obviously) really clicking tonight. But Spirko might make some people feel a little better about ZPar leaving. This young man can skate, and has a pretty good nose for the puck. He had several "almosts" and was mixing things up both on offense and on the backcheck. Porter skated well; Rory was everywhere early. Brady went to the bench at one point in the second, I think, with what looked like a gimpy hand or wrist. I think he missed a shift. But he came back to finish the game well. Brandt didn't look as bad as his stats will show; he was hung out to dry by really sloppy play in front of him on the shorthanders. The kid that scored all three Manitoba goals is the real deal. Nice to see both Andy and Nick get goals. Schneiders you could almost feel building as he skated the entire length of the rink and simply muscled through the whole Manitoba team. He was reaching soooo far, and looked like he was either going to lose the puck, or lose his skates, I was surprised he got so much on the shot when he went top shelf. Play at the end got very chippy along the boards. I thought both Matts were going to go postal on Manitoba guys. The crowd was getting ready for another Thrilla in Manilla before Greene got 4 minutes with a little under 3 left. I've never seen Lamoureaux play before tonight; he's impressive for a youngster. I actually told my wife I was feeling less nervous when the puck was in front of him than I am when Jake's in the net. He is very comfortable between the pipes. I'm impressed. Kaip and Radke both showed some glimpses of what I'm expecting of them. Radke looks a little small compared to Jones and Greene, but he's fearless. This didn't really look like a first game; most passes were crisp. They played, largely, good positionally. Toward the end of the game the talent differential between the teams got quite evident. While this game is really meaningless, and is probably not a good indication of where this team really is against world-class competition, I'm feeling pretty good tonight. I think their going to be just fine, on both ends of the ice. We knew the defensemen are superb; after watching tonight, I'm betting the over every night.

Less than a week to go until many hockey fans' attention will be focused on the college game while the millionaires who run (and play in) the NHL stare at one another over the "bargaining" table. "And if they're wondering where the fans went to, have them check the other rinks: rinks where junior hockey and college hockey and minor hockey and women's hockey and even old-timers' hockey is being played." http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Art...ment/Columnists

I can't believe what I'm reading here...starting to sound like a bunch of conspiracy theorists. Here's my read on things (in no particular order): 1. Hakstol has been the primary recruiter since he's been here. At worst he scouted the prospects and set the plate, and had DB come in and close the deals. How's the recruiting classes been lately? 2. Say you open the search nationally. Who do you get that hasn't already been mentioned? Probably no one. Is Sandy really going to come here? Doubtful. He's turned around a moribund program and can probably name his price in Duluth right now. New arena on its way. Why leave that to come back to GF and try to fill Blais' shoes? Johnson would be taking a pay cut of at least $30,000 a year (and more likely $50 - $80,000 less) to come here. Sure he bleeds green, but I'll bet he likes the inside of his wallet to be the same color. Carey Eades should take the second assistant's job. John Marks is trying too hard. 3. Do you all REALLY think Hak's marriage to Erin O'Keefe entered into this? Are you nuts? Roger Thomas and Tim O'Keefe are way too smart to lay that kind of stink bomb. And Kupchella, as much as I despise him, won't stand for any kind of nepotism. 4. Hak will bring some new energy to things. He's at least as intense a coach as was DB. He certainly ain't distracted with a possible NHL move. The players respect him. Who knows? This might be an opportunity for a goalie coach to finally be added to the staff. At the very least he brings the opportunity finally, for a team nickname that will stick: Can't you see The Hak Attack all over t-shirts and signs, etc.? In sum, give Hak a chance. Put a little more faith than most of you have displayed in Roger Thomas. Then sit back and enjoy what will prove to be a wonderful college hockey season.

This topic has been just under the radar for the longest time. The Herald has reported it in its news columns, and now editorialized AGAINST the administration's plan to raise admission standards for all students. http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforkshe...ion/8479892.htm I know from several conversations with him that Blais is VERY concerned about what raising required ACT scores by 5 points will do to his recruiting. He feels a lot of potential Sioux skaters will look at what the University requires (ACT) compared to what other schools need and more often than not choose the other, easier entrance requirement. I have also talked to Kupchella's right hand man Phil Harmeson about this, and he just blows off any of Blais' concerns. There are provisions, he says, to allow student-athletes to appeal an admission denial. I was sort of ambivalent about this, and thought perhaps Blais was just whining, but when I see the Herald actually calliing the higher standards a bad thing, I figure coach is on the right side of this, and that Harmeson and his boss are pushing things too far. With the WCHA becoming such a competitive league, can we really afford to turn away potential recruits. Will we have the time to explain to them that there are "ways" around the high ACT standards? I'm not comfortable at all with this proposal. BTW, Blais says it isn't a proposal, its already a done deal.

I don't buy this. I will agree that the new arena and 5000 extra seats has brought many new people to the game. And some of these (maybe even most) people aren't "into" the game as much as the old-timers. But to say the focus has been taken off the team is a stretch. Walk around the rink. The photos of teams and players past, the banners hung from the rafters, the logos create something akin to an atmosphere of worship. This is the home of the Fighting Sioux and woe to all wearing opposing colors who enter here. I will agree that the atmosphere is a lot more commercial than in the old rink. But the focus, clearly, is on hockey, and most of all on the Fighting Sioux heritage and history.

I think Ballard will play, and play well in the NHL. Watching him late in the season, and into the Final Five, he was one of two Gopher players who I feared every time they touched the puck, the other being Riddle. Ballard is an offensive threat anytime he's on the ice; he plays hard all the time. Sometimes he doesn't play smart, but he has the skill set and the mentality to be a significant addition to Phoenix or most any other NHL team. What would the Sioux have been like with him playing the point on the power play? Pretty awesome, I think.

First, the "Parise era"? This is a now-19-year-old kid who came to Grand Forks directly from high school. He spent two hockey seasons here (less than two years). How can there possibly be a "Parise era"? He put on a heckuva show, made the players around him better (although with all the extra defensive attention his line attracted, this point might be arguable!), and may be the most well-rounded college hockey player I have ever seen. But I will stop short of calling this the "Parise era". I can't argue with a lack of playoff success, although in the scope of things, the Sioux were one of eight teams left on the ice. Perhaps this points out the fallacy of national polls and INCH Power Rankings. If the Sioux hadn't been top-ranked almost all year, would we still say they'd lack success? I think the bright sides of the story here are numerous: 1. Zach Parise, an American-born, high school-to-college (no junior) hockey player blessed UND fans for two years with delightful play, a beaming personality, and a poise beyond his years. He's now a millionaire, and fulfilling his boyhood dreams. 2. The 2003-2004 UND Fighting Sioux fought from fifth place in the WCHA and a one-and-done in the NCAAs last year to winning the MacLaughton Cup, second place in the Final Five, and lost a regional final for a trip to the Frozen Four. And with a very, very young cast of characters, I will continue to point out. 3. Parise's success at UND brought several apparently blue-chip schoolmates from SSM to Grand Forks. 4. Parise's time at UND gave us all almost two full years to listen to the whining, carping and general discontent from all our maroon and gold friends to the south! Yeah, I'm sorry to see him go, but we all knew it was going to happen. I'm sorry they're not going to Boston, but perhaps this was a year too soon.

I was thinking more along the lines of "weelwy, weelwy" good.

Nice read on that horrible, anti-Sioux INCH http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/7Archiv...erfect_0231.htm In spite of the ending, was this a "perfect" game?

This is perhaps the most bone-headed comment I've ever read on these boards. CB did a whale of a job with a team that is very, very young. Compare this team to the '99-'00 championship team: Top five scorers: Goren, Panzer, Ulmer, Lundbohm and Bayda (2 seniors, 1 junior, 1 soph, 1 freshman). 267 total points, or 52% of the team's output. This year: Bochenski, Parise, Murray, Genoway and Stafford (ZERO seniors, 2 juniors, 1 soph and 2 freshmen). 227 points, or 48.6% of team's total. I remember Coach Blais telling me on a couple of different occasions this year that this team is not as talented as his national championship teams, and that they are still very young. How many "true" freshmen played a major role on the team this year? These are eighteen-year-olds playing against men up to 23, 24 even 25 years old out there. I think CB did a heckuva job with a very good team; not a great team. To say he didn't do well this season is simply not true.

I've given this a lot of thought, and I am now prepared to declare Vanek to be abslutely, positively, without any question of any kind, the...make that THE...finest hockey player to EVER lace up the skates. It's really too bad that the Hobey Baker award has that name engraved on it, otherwise I almost certain it would already have been renamed the Thomas Vanek award. I can't honestly understand how Dean Blais can call himself a coach after he let this one get by him. And that fifth pick? I'm surprised at all the NHL scouts and general managers. He should've been the first overall pick, without a doubt. He continues to amaze me with his constant, end-to-end effort, his amazing back-checking, and the extraordinarily positive effect he has on the rest of his team. I take back everything negative I've ever thought about him. Sheesh!

Same reason a groom isn't supposed to look at the bride before the wedding.

Man, I'm just not seeing this game as a high scoring exhibition. The Sioux have been having trouble burying the biscuit lately. And the Quesadilla guy is no slouch between the pipes, regardless of who he's been facing. The guy's save percentage is .926 this year, and over .910 for his career. If the clutch and grab, "swing yore pardner" stuff gets the okay from the stripes, I'm saying 4-2. Still Sioux, but not a runaway. Now come on guys, and prove me wrong. And a big, heartfelt thanks to Scott Geston at CableOne Fargo for makin' it all happen.

Really bothers me to tout INCH, but aside from the nasty jab at goaltending, this preview of West Region should be feel-good story of the day. http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/9NCAA/2...estpre_0230.htm Couple of nice quotes: "Barring injury, it