farce poobah

I think we all know getting swept by Michigan Tech - at The John - caused an enormous wave of embarrassment that killed off POI.

Spirko on a rebound.

Thank goodness Canady is damn near done. Good riddance, and go get a brain after you pull off the jersey.

[sigh] At least Maine is winning ... which helps the Sioux PWR. How about a little puck luck ...

I hope the PA announcer introduces "the Denver Pioneers, your defending national champions" ... On the strength of REVENGE, and this dish is served cold, I think we'll come out firing on all cylinders. If we can get an early first goal, that's a Key to the Game. Besides the elevation always bothers DU ...

What's he doing next weekend? hint hint

still UMD 3, MN 2, nearing the halfway mark of the 3rd. Dogs look great 5x5.

Also, hard to picture the CZHA getting just one.

A long time ago, someone crafted a great phrase, to counter the stupidity of comments like yours: "Don't Shoot the Messenger".

Last Sioux sweep in Mpls was January 1980. It was fun.

For one night only, I'm Happy.

How Maine does will definitely help the RPI, but equally important, the rest of the way, we need all the help we can get from teams we play four times: Wisconsin, CC, St Cloud (ugh), and Mankato.

Anchorage ties it up 2-2, 9 minutes left

How to beat CC: 1) Hit them early, hard and often. 2) Be patient, don't get caught deep forechecking because of CC's great speed, and on the big ice let them shuffle along the boards but don't give up good positioning. 3) Goaltender needs to play well. Especially b/c CC will get in his face. CC is especially dangerous going across the goalmouth, and many of their goals come on rebounds. Lammy is faster laterally than JPar, so he should get the start. Generally, the games with CC are great to watch. Playmaking and creativity, long stretches, fewer whistles, big hits, just wish I could be there as its becoming my favorite series because the play is high quality and the games are competitive....

Tough weekend to be a home team in the WCHA.

Sandy has had a tough go of it lately ...

bout halfway thru the third

St Cloud should DEFINITELY wear the YALE uniforms tomorrow night.

The Mankato announcer is obviously very very knowledgeable about hockey, and he just mentioned that the Sioux lost 12/19 to the "US Junior team", and that Mankato would be playing them later in the year. Good grief Charlie Brown.

Post game thoughts 12/27 Canada looked awesome. Well actually, their forwards did. Puck wasn't in their own zone enough to tell if Canada's D is any good, and Glass wasn't tested much at all. Worth the price of admission to watch Crosby, Bergeron, Perry, Richards, Stewart, Dawes, Carter, .... WOW. USA played without intensity, were half-step slow most of the night, and out of synch to boot. Only real effort came for about 8 minutes in the third, and only after the undermanned and hard-working Swiss tied it. Montoya really fighting the puck, not just the soft goals but a couple saves that should have been easy and still other shots that missed the net. USA will not medal unless the goaltending improves. Tip of the chapeau to Switzerland, mounting a 3rd comeback despite playing back-to-back nights and playing a pretty short bench besides. Brian Lee got some ice time tonight, and looked respectable. Didn't look ready for the speed of Russia Czech or Canada, but held his own vs. Swiss attackers. Phil Kessel with a strong game, and I thought should have been the USA POTG, since he gave the most consistent effort on the USA squad. (IIHF gave it to Callahan.) Stafford with another nice goal.

I'm guessing the count for the BLR-SUI game was tix sold. Still, I was guessing about 6000 butts actually there. Attendance will pick up as the tourney goes on. Wish Russia-Czech was in GF, would like to see that one.

Thoughts after 3 games ... agree with most of what's been written so will try to add new thoughts. 1) Canada 2) USA 3) Russia Canada is the real deal. If you're thinking of betting on the USA, save your money for the casinos where the odds are better. They play at tremendous pace and will put up as many goals as they want against most of their pool. Best hope for the USA is to get in the opposite bracket and not play the Canucks until the final. Only possible weakness is goaltending ... I can see a scenario where they may concede a soft goal and have to play catch up.... USA looked a bit shaky in their own zone, but the forwards played with tremendous creativity. Montoya will come back stronger. Expect to see Brian Lee tonight vs the Swiss. Russia has exceptional forwards, not just Ovechkin and Maltin but Pestunov and #29 Wweireutsnov and about 5 others. While USA was able to expose their defensive weaknesses, none of the other teams in this pool have that kind of speed, so expect Russia to sail into the medal round for a match with Canada. Last, if you are on the fence, GO! to the games. Or at least try one. It is hockey played at its finest by the best in the world. And it won't be back anytime soon, so make the most of this chance. Yes, the $40 to see USA or Canada is a bit pricey, but its only money. I love this game.

SO, 5x5 the game was 1-1. Ugh.

If you have time, I'd recommend the REA arena tour. ... details theralph.com