farce poobah

(Fedorov, I'm thrilled to be in the midst of your list ... just to be considered is fun. Thanks.) If there's a model for message boards elsewhere, this is it, and that in turn is a reflection of the Sioux Hockey community. I see it in person, and on the internet - people who just plain love the game, enjoy every minute of every game, get goosebumps walking into the Ralph, the X, even the John. Whenever and wherever the Green and White strap on the blades to do battle, they do so with as loyal a fan base as you'll find anywhere. For everyone here, "thanks!" for sharing your thoughts and listening to mine. This place becomes an outlet for my passion for Sioux Hockey, for the Fanatics to gather electronically, and long after my family is tired of hearing me wax rhapsodic about arcana like Zach's great backchecks on Vanek, Schneider's ability to poke check the puck AND keep his momentum in the right place, that Zajac and Spirko are consistently a half-step ahead of the play, how Prpich got under so-and-so's skin, that y'all are here to listen. For creating such a great gathering place, I too would like to express my appreciation and thanks to the Creators and the Administrators of Siouxsports.com.

One thing the Sioux and Gophers have in common is in making the Frozen Four in a year that neither felt was a particularly "good" team (by the local, high standards). That both schools made it in an "off year" is is a bad sign for the rest of the world ...

Yeah, he'll need a bigger size next year since he's still growing. Stuff happens. I hope Matt takes with him not the flukes but how well he played in the NCAA's.

Mannino was good AND lucky. He was beat cleanly on several pucks that went high or wide, and just barely got to about 5 more. If we finish on just one of the multiple chances in the first 40 minutes, the 3rd period looks totally different. DU's skill players made a couple great plays on their 2nd and 3rd goals, and they got a bounce on that first goal. We didn't get any bounces, and that as they say was that. Most of our lineup had good games again ... DU was a bounce better. Nice momentum for next year. I hope none of our coaches turns pro.

Congratulations on a terrific season. Character, class, passion, and outstanding effort. You made us proud to be fans of UND Fighting Sioux hockey.

Wisdom from Gordon Bombay: "If we stoop to their level, we become them. We are better than that. Let's go play OUR hockey."

The sentiment in the original post bears repeating. Again. Very, very impressive display of character, poise and passion in the national semifinal.

Toews. Lee. Smaby. Parise. What if we change our name to the University of North Boston ....

DOH! [/premature senior moment]

Truly great story. Congrats to the first CC player to win one.

He can be more physical after college ... what the NCAA "new rules" are doing is force the big guys to work on agility, anticipating plays, and using smarts and patience to win rather than just sticking out a big stick and slowing someone down. In other words, there's some significant advantages to staying at UND.

Potulny and Irmen were just not effective the last 20 games. They looked leg-weary ... whether from conditioning or being overplayed the first 20 games, i can't say. I was worried the 11 day layoff would give them the rest needed to get their legs back, but it sure didn't happen. Irmen's "revenge charge" against Greene was plain funny.

Eddie is just cool. Also nice to see his 'mate on the 1987 title team, Jeff Bowen, sitting next to him. Betcha a billion dollars they wore their rings.

I groaned when I saw the Canady penalties live because it seemed obvious he took two. Most of our penalties we deserved ... Updated PK stats in NCAA play: 27 powerplays in 3 games, 2 goals for, 2 goals against. Net 0 for 27.

Yet ANOTHER proud moment for a Roseau grad wearing the Sioux green. How many dozens of great performances have come from Roseau (or Ross-o if you're not from around here) players ...

I was bummed ESPN2 left the broadcast before we could see Hirsch crash the net.

Grand Forks is east of Denver. We should get some homerisms. I love how Barry Melrose gave the game to the Sioux before it was even played.

"UND has the worlds greatest fans. I think they would go block a shot with their heads if they could." - Doug Smail, 1980.

To the original situation, I suggest feigning illness and then "checking into a hospital" (wink wink) that doesn't have visitation but that does have an airport shuttle.

Hartford, CT ESPN reports that its changing its name to Eastern Sports Programming Network. "Its what we've been all along, and most of us have a hard time understanding anyone west of Syracuse". In a related note, the network decide to just leave their airwaves blank during college hockey's Frozen Four, "since all those states are just blank rectanges anyway".

Every Sioux Player Needs a Ring or 2

I do agree with the earlier observation that it should be possible to call the major penalty without mandating a game misconduct or DQ. Major penalties used to be fairly common, now they aren't. Let's give the ref some standards but also flexibility.

Most years, the defending champion gets a big bullseye target painted on their jerseys. Next year, the entire league gets a bullseye. Every game becomes Goliath vs. David.