farce poobah

We had the same idea at the same time. Agree it would be a fun regional with 3 "local" teams. Would rather Minnesota go play a couple thousand miles away however, especially given how well they are playing now.

Well, it was a wild weekend, and one which solidified UND's standing. "Just win baby" is the first part, and a sweep of MSU was necessary to increase UND's RPI and PWR. http://siouxsports.com/hockey/rankings/rpi.php Assuming a 3-2-1 bonus, we're now sitting #7 RPI-wise. The second part is we got lots of help elsewhere. Mostly everyone right around us dropped at least one this weekend. ** St Lawrence lost two in the ECACHL, and we are now within .0067 of St Lawrence. ** Michigan lost a game, to Bowling Green. ** Ohio State lost one at UAF. ** CC got swept, we're within .0038 of CC. ** Michigan State split with Omaha. USCHO has an updated hypothetical bracket in case you haven't seen. http://www.uscho.com/pdf/general/2006bracket.pdf As of Sunday AM, they are showing 5 CCHA, 4 ECACHL and just 1 Hockey East team getting in. Who'da thunk. With Minnesota's sweep, and with the way they are playing lately, they look to be a favorite for a #1 seed. (Would be fun to see Gophers vs Bemidji in the first round.) So the only way UND can avoid having to go through the Gophers at the Ralph is to get a #1 seed. For the Sioux to get a #1, Miami will have to lose a few, or BC, we have to win out, and a lot of other things have to happen. Until then, JUST WIN BABY.

Upon further review, I have to go with BC goaltender Cory Schneider as the likely national POTW. Double shutout of Vermont (#5 in the polls coming in). In the WCHA, DU sweeping is the big news clearly. But on the merits of it, not just on the scoresheet, I have a hard time imagining anyone playing better than Stafford this weekend.

Congrats to the Sioux women on a big win. http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../101220008/1002 A couple stats tell the tale. One is that Quigley had zero yes zero offensive rebounds. B-o-x-o-u-t. Two is that Francis, the SC guard averaging 15 ppg, was just 1-8. I imagine Jahner had something to do with that.

I bet Paukovich will be the WCHA (and maybe national) POTW. GWG both nights in Wisconsin. Otherwise, agree with your Sioux picks.

Tonight was a lot like last night, only it was different. (my weak attempt at a Yogi Berra style comment) What was a lot like yesterday is that our best forwards played excellent again. Porter maybe even a little better, maybe the best player on the ice, Toews another good game, Zajac, Stafford. Kozek with the nice "pass" to Porter on the first goal ... timing the shot and placing it on the ice toward the far post so the only place Tormey could put the rebound was right at Stafford, who outmuscled/outhustled the Mav D for the opening goal. Toews with the highlight reel second goal, a bit of bad break for the Mavs. Radke with the snap wrister toward the corner that hit a Mav D and bounced right at the hustling Toews, who converted on the semi break with a great backhand fake that froze Tormey on his left post and couldn't cover the far post when Toews moved at full speed to the other side. Great display of speed agility and hockey smarts. Again like last night, Chorney played a monster game, Lee looked a big tired, Smaby was solid, and Jones played with great emotion. Prpich took a couple unnecessary penalties again, and UND got good goaltending early to set up the lead. What was different than last night was also interesting. Mankato did a better job of not getting intimidated by Sioux bodychecks, and they were much better in their own zone. Without all those mistakes, Sioux didn't get as many scoring chances. Also different was the finish. The scrum (fight) and the resulting half-hour delay (OK it was probably only 15 minutes but it seemed like forever), really helped MSU for a couple reasons. Foremost, they are a one-line team, and Backes-Morin got basically an entire 3rd intermission to rest up for the final 10 minutes of game time. With that rest, they put some better chances on the Sioux net. Also, UND minus 2 D is much easier than the 5-man rotation I would have expected to see in that situation. With about 2:30 left, after the wave off, we were flinging the puck around and could readily have conceded the tieing goal, but managed to get an icing and a change. I liked the combo late of Stafford-Zajac-Prpich, late in a tie game. 3 physical, experienced guys who compete hard. And they got rewarded with the ENG. The waved-off goal was scored primarily because of the interference on JP. If that one doesn't get waved off, there's no way you can ever wave off a goal. Kudos to Zelkin for getting it mostly right. It was goalie interference, but I'll settle for a faceoff just outside the blue line in this case. I am not one who likes fights. In this case, I gotta give credit for pure courage to Kyle Radke (who I've been critical of at times), for going head on with their biggest guy on the ice and whipping the snot out of him. He got his money's worth. I don't understand the rest of the penalties in that scrum. If Spirko got a DQ for wrestling, whatever, but Finley threw at least 4 punches, and Oshie was worse than Spirko. At that point in the game, Mankato really NEEDED to throw us off our game, and again the result was different than Friday. Friday, we dominated after the scrum, but Saturday, we lost our mojo and da#$ near lost the game. Big Ups to the student section for creative, loud, clean support.

Big Ups to the student section again tonight. Well done.

I hadn't seen the Sioux in person for a while, so had some new impressions. As noted above, the play of Chorney and Jones last night was very strong. (Note to Jones - stay in the lineup please, even if it means not retaliating to a cheap shot from the opposition. Think of the cheap shot as recognition they want you to take yourself out of the game.) I agree that Lee had an off night. Radke was brutal at times (he was the only Sioux player to finish minus on the night, at -2); got walked a couple times (and not by Backes or one of the MSU studs). The guy can definitely play the game ... maybe a switch to forward? Stafford and Oshie got the goals, but I thought the play of their linemates, in particular Porter and Zajac, was key. Porter was making plays, and showed the combination of size and speed that make him formidable when he's on his game. Zajac won a million faceoffs. The line with Prpich, Kaip and Fabian was effective, except that none of the 3 have been winning faceoffs consistently, which in turn limits the situations they can be used ... don't be surprised to see a strong faceoff guy move into there somewhere. Sparky and Duncan throwing the body around last night! Gotta love it. THAT is Sioux hockey at its best. Not that they actually hurt the opponent, but it means the lineup top to bottom is in the game. Lamoureaux hung himself out to dry at least twice, by flinging the puck away from his D and to Mavs. Also got caught in traffic behind the net. Just stop the puck and let the D play it. This is a "coachable moment" in the vernacular. In summary, I was pleased to see us bring a strong effort. We made some mistakes, and benefitted from MSU's, so we better not start thinking we're a lot better than they are. We aren't. Will need 60 minutes tonight to get the sweep, and keep moving toward a second-place finish in the WCHA.

I don't think you'll find anyone here critical of Tormey's play. The problem for Mankato was not the goalie. Still, I would not be all that self-critical of the defensive breakdowns. Most of the UND faithful would say the Sioux played well last night. When UND is on, they can be one of the nations best.

I'd be happier if Denver wins a game or two off bucky, it will help UND's chances of getting into the NCAAs. (We play Denver 4 games and UW just 2.)

One thing I have been wondering about is how effective Fabian would be if paired with more of playmaker types. He has shown a knack for getting the puck in the net, but doesn't get a lot of chances. Combined with Coach Hakstol's comments on the Coaches Show thread (niceely paraphrased by PCM), indicating he wants to see production from all four lines, I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple modest moves this weekend. Also, Mankato's top line with Backes and Morin is as good as anyone's. Predict lower-scoring games, with relatively fewer penalties (the 2 go hand in hand, I guess). As long as it stays 5x5, I don't think Mankato can score much. (I have no opinion on the Wild.)

I think the fulcrum is Stafford and Zajac; they can carry a team when they really want it. But that's probably not what you meant. I think its possible some of our rookies show fatigue, and wouldn't mind seeing some spot-rested players down the stretch. Or, alternatively, a little less icetime against the 3rd tier of WCHA opponents. The best scenario might be to pull a Denver. Clinch a spot in the Dance during the regular season, bag the first round WCHA, get a week of rest, and then kick some aff in the West Regional.

Overall, this is not a surprise to what those of us watching the SS.com PWR for weeks now. http://siouxsports.com/hockey/rankings/pwr.php (Those making picks based on historical success that has nothing to do with this year - cough Cornell - cough Denver - cough Maine - are probably surprised. http://www.uscho.com/news/id,11635/PairWiseSurprise.html ) ======================================= Observations: 1) The numbers still change really rapidly, especially in the big bunch from about #7 to #20. UND could still miss out on the dance. Or we could be a #1 seed. Its up to the guys. Still, if you told me on 10/1/2005 that we would be sitting #10 on January 18, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. (You kidding me? 13 rookies, including 4+ rookies on defense? and we're only going to get better) 2) Love the hypothetical draw with Miami and Ohio State, or, frankly any CCHA team except Michigan. Reason is that those two, and most of the CCHA, play a defense-first, trap, you-make-the-first-mistake kind of hockey. And the only proven way to beat the Sioux this year is to pressure pressure pressure. (Which I don't think will work come March 15, but time will tell.) So I would be thrilled to see Miami and tOSU come to the Ralph. 3) Just win baby.

Anyone in the conference that we play four times (MN, Tech, UMD, SCSU, DU), Nonconference opponents we played 2 games (add Bemidji) or TUC's that we beat (add Miami). It would help us if Michigan State became unTUCed. (not likely).

Last year's team improved a lot after Christmas. (Sioux 4/7/05 - Sioux 1/15/05) This year's team, filled with rookies in key roles, should improve even faster as they get up to speed in the game. With experience, talent will carry the day over more opponents. In other words, get your tickets for ALL the playoffs, cause we are going to be IN. Sorry to be obscure.

Not sure but there's a lot of info here:http://www.collegehockeystats.net/

One last observation from me on the weekend: I enjoyed two things at the end: 1) Potulny and Irmen were on the ice for the last 2 Sioux goals. 2) Harrington got undressed "again" by Spirko for the ENG.

Mathematically speaking, this one is easy: Sioux 4/6/06 = Sioux 1/15/06 + 1.5*(Sioux 4/7/05 - Sioux 1/15/05)

I think a big factor was UMD getting whipped and falling out of the ranks of TUC's. Since MN lost to UMD and UND swept UMD, that moved our numbers pretty significantly. Also, Bemidji fell off the TUC list. IOW, its what happened elsewhere in this case. I think.

Ya, last year it wasn't a big shocker to come out of that East Regional. Maybe by the time March rolls around it won't be a surprise for UND to win the West either. Unless of course Minnesota is in the West. If it were to work out that Minnesota gets BU and probably Michigan, that would be a pretty good draw for them. (Maybe better than playing at the Ralph?)

Oops. Will fix that.

Based on the reliable PWR calculator at SiouxSports.com, http://siouxsports.com/hockey/rankings/pwr_rpibonus.php, and assuming a 3-2-1 bonus, here's how the field would look today: 1 Wisconsin 2 Miami 3 Colorado College 4 Minnesota 5 Michigan 6 St. Lawrence 7 Boston College 8 Ohio State 9 Harvard 10 North Dakota 11 Vermont 12 Michigan State 13 Boston University 14 Nebraska-Omaha 15 CHA lets say Bemidji for fun 16 AHA, say Mercyhurst (Note - 5 CCHA teams (!), 4 WCHA, 3 Hockey East, 2 ECACHL, 1 CHA, 1 AHA. And that Denver doesn't get in... they are around #25 right now. Also, no Maine, and no New Hampshire.) Let's place the #1 seeds, in order, closest to their home (none are hosting): Wisconsin goes to Green Bay Miami goes to Albany (which is, I think, closer than Grand Forks) CC goes to the Ralph Minnesota to Worcester Then dropping the rest of the field straight into a 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, etc (it will need adjustment in a minute): Midwest Wisconsin vs Mercyhurst Ohio State vs Harvard East Miami vs Bemidji BC vs UND (gotta fix that) West CC vs UNO St Lawrence vs Vermont Northeast Minnesota vs Boston U (the host) Michigan vs Michigan State Final Field: We have to move UND to Grand Forks, so let's just swap UND and Vermont. (Alternative would be to bring BC to Grand Forks, but I think they would keep BC out east to sell tickets.) Don't like the Michigan - Michigan State first round game, but there's a CCHA team in each region already. Midwest (1) Wisconsin vs Mercyhurst (8) Ohio State vs Harvard East (2) Miami vs Bemidji (7) BC vs Vermont West (3) CC vs UNO (6) St Lawrence vs UND Northeast (4) Minnesota vs Boston U (the host) (5) Michigan vs Michigan State ============================== Of course, this will probably be nothing like the actual, but it leads to some pretty intriguing matchups: Wisconsin vs Ohio State ... INDOORS this time in Green Bay, just 5 weeks after their game at Lambeau. Minnesota-BU, Michigan-Michigan State ... no problem getting attendance in Worcester this year. Putting UND and CC in the same region guarantees no all-WCHA frozen four. If the top seeds win, you get Minnesota vs Wisconsin in the national semis. (And if UND can spring a couple upsets, Miami vs UND in the other, afternoon semifinal. but enough dreaming for now)

Tonight was much better. And yes, we got some puck luck. But MOST IMPORTANT, we battled. We competed. We showed maturity. This is a good sign. A win to build some momentum on. The 4 WJC guys looked really leg weary. For the USA guys, this is 13 games in 29 days! For Toews, 12 games. Time for some rest. Also, its time to Take Care of Business at home. 4 big home games coming up.

The other thing that hurts our PWR is that UMD fell out of the ranks of TUC's, and without that sweep our record against TUC's is pretty weak. Too early to worry a lot about the volatility, but not too early to be concerned that we will be a bubble team unless we win enough games the rest of the way.

I'm good for a few bucks.