farce poobah

Just when this was starting to look like a relatively easy four points, Mankato goes on a four game winning streak, led by Phil Cook in goal and an experienced D-corps. We better bring game. And those black jerseys.

Another night where we give up "almost no" powerplays, and not surprisingly almost get a shutout. Sioux have played 17 games so far this year. In 6 games, we've given up a 5x3 or we've given up a major. In those games: 1 win, 4 losses, 1 tie. In 11 games, we've not given up a major or a 5x3. In those games, 9-1-1. I don't recall ever seeing such a stark difference. Bottom line: if we stay out of the box, we're da## tough to beat.

Credit Jake Marto with a good back check to save a goal. 1 minute left in the second 1-1.

Late 2nd, 1-1. Sioux with a puck possession edge, but not getting a lot of even strength chances.

This is the first of the weekends 4 periods that looked like the kind of hockey that I thought we'd see vs Notre Dame. 4:30 left in the first. nil-nil.

In case anyone didn't see it already, link to webcast from NCAA.com: http://www.ncaa.com/allaccess/?media=213983 7-3 mid-2nd period. RoMo with the ball at midfield.

Unbelievable. Another 11,000+ sellout. Sorry, even after a decade at the Ralph, I'm still in awe of the support for this team. Wow.

NOTE: Anyone with NHL-US gets a rebroadcast tomorrow. Chance to see Kristo's hat trick again.

Great post. I just have to tweak the last part.

Count me on the side of pleased that NDSU gets a shot at the FCS title. I'm happy for them, and my friends that went there. Side note - I am somewhat surprised that the financial requirements for hosting an FCS playoff game are not higher. When UND gets there, we should definitely be able to come up with competitive bids. And I expect the Kleinsasserdome Fargodome to be packed this weekend. Fargo is a good football town.

Can the women's team sustain their successes for a full season with the short bench? Last night vs St Cloud, they were down to 3 forward lines and 5 d. Maybe get the backup goalie into skater gear unless pressed into service ....

When / if the Mavericks learn to play more situation-specific, they could be well nigh unbeatable. They need to back off the high-stakes gambling at times, but they sure know how to play high-pressure hockey. Before Deano is done there, a national championship is a real good possibility.

Sioux will quiet the cowbells. UNO fans won't have anything to bell about once we hit the ice.

Final 85 Wisconsin 53 North Dakota

3 minutes left in first half 34 Wisconsin 19 North Dakota Wisconsin gettting a lot of second chance points ...

Methinks that UNO is looking at the number of out-of-town tickets and deciding they need SOMETHING to drown out the Sioux fans. Cowbells won't be enough, however.

Prayers for a full, swift recovery. Get well, Jesse.

I'm not seeing the game, but if the refereeing is as one-sided as it sounds, it becomes important for UND to decide if its reasonable to make such a trip again.

Makes sense to me ... First, his mode is to carry the puck a lot, not the kind of quick-passing game our first two lines operate with. So from a chemistry standpoint, I think its better. Second, the guy is a powerplay wizard, so this may give him more focus. PS, he reads plays well and could become a great penalty killer ...

Wow. That is a phenomenal turnout. Good for them.

Unusual aspect to the box score - Malone gets an assist on the fourth goal, but doesn't get credit in the plus minus: http://www.collegehockeystats.net/1011/boxes/mbmjndk1.o16

Generally, I find it best to avoid the student section, which is the "bottom of the U". Sioux fans tend to cluster on the "tops of the U", which is the end UND shoots at twice.

... and UMD drops to #5. [sarcasm on] "Well, I guess if UMD lost to UND, then UMD must not be as good as we thought." [/off]

Really stirring ceremony in Chicago tonight, at their home opener. Included Jonathon Toews skating out with The Stanley Cup. And, I found myself feeling a strong connection to the Blackhawks organization. We're here tonight, in part, because the Blackhawks owner in the 1930's hired American players (which was frowned on by the hockey establishment at that time). One of the players he hired was Cliff Purpur, who returned to Grand Forks and was a Founder of the hockey program at UND. That plus the Fighting Sioux logo was patterned after the Blackhawks logo, most likely a benefit of Mr. Purpur's connections.

"The Nanooks still looking for their first SOG". Sioux PP, comes up empty. 0-0, nearing midway in the first.