farce poobah

Watching Western Michigan take an early 2-0 lead in Denver.

Low crime rates.

Unexceptable.

I'm enjoying the St Cloud State score a bit more than I should. UND has to go there in a couple weeks.

From what I saw, it was not even a 2 minute penalty. I would have called the Miami player for embellishment.

I travel to Boston a lot on business, so would note the following ... Auto: * Unless you are planning a trip out of town, to say Cape Cod, skip the car. * Ridiculously expensive to park, plus once you get "downtown" you can walk to anyplace. (Or take a 2-stop subway ride, or take a $6 taxi.) * For those who haven't been there, the arena is on top of North Station. Easy public transportation from there. Hotels: * unless you are really cash-strapped, stay "downtown" ... most of us can walk (or catch a 2-stop subway ride) easily. Being right in the middle of things is worth it ... as is the solid night life which is better downtown. * if you are staying outside of "downtown", pick a hotel you can walk to the train or subway. * Its not cheap, but I like the Langham. Its housed in the old Federal Reserve building. NOT a party atmosphere. * Stayed at the Holiday Inn near Mass Gen last time (2004) ... it was fine but the best thing was it was close. * Don't ignore options in Cambridge that are a short subway ride (or a moderate walk) into downtown. Transportation from Logan Airport to Downtown Boston: * Taxi should be $25-30. Fast but higher cost. * Water shuttle is fun if the weather is decent. * Public transportation, especially pre-late night, is solid and reliable. Airfare into Logan is generally expensive. * Southwest does fly into Logan. * Southwest into Manchester or Providence is also a lower-fare option. Restaurants: * my favorite method is to walk the North End and select an Italian restaurant by standing outside and if it smells good, go in. That method has never failed me, and there are many authentic Italian restaurants. * second favorite method is to walk the area around the Arena after the game, and stop by a pub that sounds interesting. Never failed me, either. If it snows, Boston gets really REALLY slow ... allow 3x the normal travel time if its snowing. Here's hoping you find this helpful. Happy to discuss. Aloha.

Love it. THAT is what rivalries are all about. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2244333-plane-flies-over-michigan-vs-michigan-state-game-with-keep-brady-hoke-banner

Bowling Green and Miami tied up 1-1 late in the first. That one's on NCHC.tv. For those who need to run multiple games and multiple sports simultaneously. UMD looking very solid against Notre Dame.

WCHA referees called at least 2 phantom penalties on UND that period. I DO NOT miss that part of the WCHA. Otherwise, we look good. Good jump and we're taking much better care of the puck tonight. For those in the Twin Cities, a reminder that its on TPT-MN (channel 202 Comcast).

I was in a similar boat. If you already bought UND insider for the year .... you should be able to access via NCHC as "already paid". That's what they say anyway. If you didn't already buy UND insider for the year ... the NCHC feed is pretty good. Last night I was able to watch 4 streams at the same time (anything to make the Bemidji-UND game smaller) and it was pretty decent.

Meanwhile, Brock Nelson leads the NHL in scoring. http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?navid=nav-sts-indiv# A 4-point night is a great way to start the season.

In a related story, Gene Taylor sent them $100 because he lost the bet.

I think the NHL went the wrong direction on this shootout thing. Instead of prohibiting spin-o-rama's, they should have required spin-o-rama's. That would have greatly increased the entertainment value of the shootout. Especially the later rounds.

Seems like a scheduling faux pas. UND and Bemidji host Vermont and RPI, but UND plays Vermont in the second game of a back to back, while Vermont didn't play Friday. We may have set ourselves up for this one.

Ferris beating Michigan may loom large later on. That's a B1G win for the WCHA.

Sad news out of Madison: http://www.startribune.com/local/274513211.html My first experience with Bob Suter came at the old Winter Sports Building on UND campus. He was a truly fiery competitor, and the nightly trash talk during warmups got raised a notch between UND fans and him. (I'm recalling the glass was then low enough to allow spectators to talk over the glass with players and officials. [sigh]). I'm sure that competitive fire will burn on in his son, Ryan Suter. On the lighter side, one memory stands out. Bob took a lot of penalties one Friday night, and so on Saturday we offered him a "Change of Address" form from the US Postal Service. It was filled out, and it would forward his mail to "Visitor Penalty Box, Winter Sports Building, Grand Forks, ND 58202". He laughed. 2 minutes later, went back out to continue the battle. And 2 years later, he would be integral to the Miracle on Ice. Rest in peace, Bob Suter.

Link: http://www.gallup.com/poll/175403/north-dakota-legendary-among-states.aspx A lot to feel good about ... and a few things to work on.

My best birthday present ever: December 3, 1982. Sioux Gophers, in Minneapolis, game tied late. Brawl breaks out ... somehow UND gets two extra major penalties. (cue halo) But under the rules then, since both teams had 2 guys with double minors, it was preceded by 4 minutes of 3x3. Patrick pulls the puck of Jon Casey's pads, skates the whole way down the ice, and scores. UND withstands 30 seconds of 5x3, and wins 5-4. (If he hadn't scored, Minnesota would have had 4:30 of 5x3 in overtime ... not quite certain death but pretty da## close, until Patrick wins the game for UND.) Yeah I was lubricated and loud, and lucky to get out of ye olde Williams Arena in one piece. Like I said, best birthday present ever.

Great idea for a late August doldrums discussion. I vote for Mark Taylor. Played four seasons. That was a differentiator for me over a long list of superb 2-year players (Hrkac, Parise, Toews...). #2 on the UND all-time scoring list. Leader on and off the ice (could say the same for Doug Smail), and absolutely instrumental in breaking the title droughts in 1979 (WCHA, 12 years) and 1980 (NCAA, 17 years). Killed penalties; the pairing of Smail and Taylor on the PK might be the best (at least in the 40 years I've been watching UND hockey). Excellent situational awareness ... saw the entire ice. All that said, I would have no problem voting for anyone on the above list.

I think its terrific that Mr. Henry Boucha has agreed to join their board. His voice and strength of character are a powerful addition to that organization.

I think we still have a "VandeVelde for Hobey" sign that we brought to the 2007 WCHA Final Five ... the day after he scored twice. The team liked it ... laughing and pointing during warmups.

Hear, hear. Well said, MafiaMan.

I used to think the Americans complaining about diving by Mexico were exaggerating. Not anymore.

Old school. Genius. Either works for me.

capgeek.com The cap rises by about the same amount that the salaries for these two would rise. But yes, I agree with your central point ... a top-heavy roster can't consistently contend in the new NHL. (Example: Pittsburgh ... superb top 6 players ... then a steep fall off.) That's just the reality ... less spent on the top 6 means a team with better depth.