farce poobah

This has been a terrific first round. Maybe best ever. Six hours of hockey every night for two weeks, intense, rivalry-based hatred fueled by a desire for the greatest trophy in all of sports. Yeah, its just the first round.

Matt Cooke offered in person interview with Department of Player Safety, as required for any suspension that exceeds five games. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=715920&navid=nhl:topheads Couldn't happen to a more appropriate repeat offender.

Wild just pinned Colorado ... Holden and Benoit's last shift was 3:30. That'll kill your legs for the rest of the game. Prediction: Even if we are tied at halftime, the Wild win this one going away.

I think it's reasonable to expect a higher standard of behavior from coaches than players. But the leniency on lucic means it's now open season on groin shots, which sends a really bad message.

This Blues vs Blackhawks overtime is so intense It's like watching on fast forward.

Agree, that's not really a stretch at all.

The old time Sioux hockey player that Rocco reminds me most of is Dave Tippett. Fabulous ice sense, sees the whole rink. Terrific skater - first step, flat out speed,agility. Thinks a fast game and surprises teammates with playmaking ability. Only down side? Neither Tippett or Grimaldi finishes as well as the rest of their game. (By contrast, Troy Murray was just a bit better ...) Prediction: Rocco eventually wins the Selke as NHL's best defensive forward. Wins reknown as one of the elite penalty killers in the league. Makes a career out of frustrating the All-Stars he lines up against. Wins 2 Stanley Cups with Florida. (OK that last bit is a bit of a stretch.)

The answer depends on whether any of the contributors were U of M boosters, and whether their relationship with Ambroz's parents is independent of U of M Athletics. So, this might be a violation that would render Ambroz ineligible. (Or it might not. Not enough information.) Based on a quick google search ... here's what Texas A&M (a bastion of athletic integrity) says to their boosters: EXTRA BENEFIT ISSUES: Q: What is an extra benefit? What are some examples? A: An extra benefit is any special arrangement to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s relatives (emphasis added) or friends with a benefit not authorized by NCAA rules. The NCAA allows Texas A&M to provide student-athletes with the following: scholarships to cover tuition, fees, room, board and books; a limited number of complimentary admissions to Aggie athletic events; practice or competition-related apparel; travel; equipment; medical treatment and much more. It is a violation of NCAA rules for a student-athlete to receive benefits not authorized under NCAA guidelines unless the same benefit is available to a segment of a population unrelated to athletics or to all Texas A&M students or their parents/guardians. Examples of Extra Benefits a Booster CANNOT provide: Cash or gifts. The use of personal property (e.g., boats, summer houses/condos, automobiles). A special discount arrangement or credit on a purchase (e.g. airline tickets, clothing). Arranging, providing, or co-signing on a loan. Providing any kind of transportation or the use of a car. Gifts of food, clothing or equipment. Arranging or providing free or reduced cost professional services (e.g., free dental or medical services, haircuts, automotive services, laundry, dry cleaning) The use of a telephone or telephone credit card for free long distance calls. Entertainment or the purchase of meals or services at commercial establishments. An invitation to play on your country club golf course or eat a meal there. A benefit connected with off-campus housing that is not available to all residents (e.g., television sets, electronic equipment, room furnishings, and specialized recreational facilities). Room, board, or transportation costs (including a stay in your home or transportation to or from a job). Typing or incurring other costs associated with school projects, reports, or resumes. Financial rewards for athletic performance. An honorarium or fee for a speaking engagement or other appearance. A guarantee of a bond. Giving tickets to a student-athlete to a Texas A&M or community athletic event (e.g., state high school basketball tournament tickets; high school games, collegiate, professional or any sporting event). A benefit derived by a student-athlete who sells complimentary tickets to a Texas A&M event. Arranging or providing free or reduced cost housing. Arranging or providing employment for a student-athlete's parents, guardians or friends.

"But Officer Gostisbehere, I promise to stop diving!"

Only when its filled with Gopher hockey fans.

Gostisbehere a plus 11 at frozen four Astounding

Union had too many men on the ice with 0.6 seconds left.

Louganis draws a penalty against union

Wish you were refereeing ...

Interference behind the net before 3rd rodent goal ...

Yup. I'll be fine once October rolls around.

Wake me up when September ends.

Old adage still applies Hit the rodents and they stop skating We are doing a bit more of that...

Okay then .... The story starts with growing up in a household of NDSU alumni and fans. Now, I'm not one with the outright hate of everything Bison, but like a lot of teenagers, I wanted to be a bit "contrarian". So I became a Sioux fan. When I got old enough to think about what I wanted to do, I decided UND was the better fit than NDSU (own the farm rather than work on it...), and anything out of state was beyond the family budget in the difficult economy of 1977. On my first campus visit, I stayed with a classmate, who got us tickets to hockey. I had heard a lot about it. As luck would have it, it was the night of the Sioux-Badgets pregame brawl ... not that I could really fathom why it was all happening (what led up to THAT), but i could sure see what was going on and it was madness. It was mayhem. (It was a lot like "Slap Shot" the movie, only real and right in front of 3000 rabid students.) Upon arrival on campus, I happened to get in with a great bunch of guys, some of whom knew hockey and a few like me that wondered why they were mowing the ice between periods. So starting as a Sioux fan, I've grown to be a fan of the game itself. I learned to skate at UND ... even though it was a good thing I took it pass-fail because I'm not sure what grade Rick Wilson or Gino would have given me (maybe a D+). I was fortunate to use a lot of icebags, have a skilled medical person drain my knee a couple times, and learn to play the game (a little) on the English Coulee, the outdoor rinks in University Park (the little kids went home after 10 pm), and the occasional late-night indoor ice somewhere in town. I learned just how damn difficult the game is to play well. The combination of core strength, gross motor, and fine motor is unmatched in other team sports (the decathlon is perhaps the closest in demanding "all of the above"). But the hardest part of playing hockey is mental. Its frustrating, its infuriating, its maddeningly simple to know what needs to be done but not be able to execute it ... Hockey is a humbling game (ever seen a basketball player wipe out on accident?), and hockey requires the strongest character traits I can think of ... at least among team sports. So I came to admire the culture of hockey, but even more so, the culture of University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey. Even 37 years ago, Gino talked about the same kinds of character and culture that Blais and Hakstol have talked about ever since. I liked that UND hockey blended the best aspects of American and Canadian hockey, the best parts of urban and rural hockey. I liked how many of the players were the first one in their family to go to college, and the obligation they felt to really "get an education" in addition to following their dream of playing professionally. If you ever wanted to get out of Dawson Creek, BC - hockey was one good way out. Even back then, the players knew the tradition, and carried with them as a matter of pride. Talking to someone like Mickey Krampotich in 1984, he knew who had worn the jersey number 8 before him, and took pride in adding to the tradition. I came to appreciate the story of Fido Purpur, who got a chance to play with the Blackhawks when Americans were not hired by most of the Original Six in the NHL. (Thank you Frederic McLaughlin, may you rest in peace. You're why I have been a Chicago Blackhawks fan since the 1970's.) I admired and appreciated how the Founding Fathers of UND hockey started from nothing and built something rather amazing. Since a couple of my great-grandparents lived in a sod cave upon settling in the late 1800's, this aspect of UND hockey hit close to home. i came to appreciate the men in stripes. Back in the day, the glass was low enough to have a good conversation between whistles. And it was also fairly easy to find the refs at local watering holes. They don't do it for the money, or for the glamour, or to get booed every night. These were purists who loved the game, and put that in motion. Guys with families, understanding bosses, regular jobs or business owners. As I was starting to learn the game, I came to realize that home ice advantage wasn't just the 200x85 rink. It was the 6000 fans in the stands, seeking to impose their outcome on the game. Again, I was part of a great bunch of guys (and a few females) who were determined to make the most of each weekend's opportunity. And, yeah it was more fun than should have otherwise been legal. (Save Farce stories for another time.) I believe that UND created generations of good will by how they seated students (the good seats SHOULD go to students ... at all colleges ... but only a few actually create their home ice advantage that way). That loyalty, built over generations, is why there's a steady steam of cars each Friday heading into Grand Forks. I bet some come from even farther than the 300 mile trip I make. Bottom line, like most people I've mellowed a bit with age. But I am still bloody passionate about my hockey team. And when they pick a new nickname, I'll go along with it, and over time maybe even come to like it. But I will always be a fan of the UND Fighting Sioux.

Oops. My bad. To the original question ... I can't think of one specific reason (but about a hundred). Back to your regularly scheduled thread...

16. You're part of the reason Don Lucia wanted a cooling off period. 17. You still applaud Dean Blais, even though he hasn't coached your team for a decade. 18. You still applaud Gino Gasparini, even though its been 2 decades. 19. You're on a first name basis with WCHA/NCHC refereeing crew, and buy them a round when you see them at your favorite watering hole. 20. You watch Mankato vs Bemidji when your favorite team gets a weekend off.

You might be a Sioux fan if .... 1. Your family members freeze the gophers they kill while hunting. 2. Your family members ask if you want the badger frozen. 3. You met your future spouse at a UND hockey game. 4. You teach the little ones to sieve maroon and gold wherever they see it. (BC, Minnesota, Arizona State, USC ...) 5. You sing the Beer Song at bedtime to your little children. 6. Your season tickets are 300+ miles away. 7. Fridays and Saturday's are "RESERVED" for 28 weekends between October 1 and April 12. 8. You know Western Canada place names and can find them on a map - Castlegar, Dawson Creek, Moose Jaw, High River, Burnaby, Carman... 9. You know which players came from which towns. 10. You see Gwozdecky and want to start singing "Dancing Queen".

I could never say how I feel as well as the Psalmist. 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Excellent pizza. My daughters went to Grimaldi's on Friday night - during the game - "for good luck". I guess it worked.

From experience, make sure all the females know there's gophers on ice in the cooler. Just to avoid surprises or screaming ...