farce poobah

I definitely hit it better with a snow shovel. Happy Gilmore, I'm not.

I 'member Rick Zaparniuk. Agile, fast, good hands. Played with some outstanding players and teams, so never got as much attention as guys like Kevin Maxwell, Doug Smail, Dave Christian. Smart, too; if memory serves he got an engineering degree in 4 years. And ... he's got A Ring.

34 days until the season opener.

The rodents are confirming .... check the 8/26 news links. Gopher Sports Website

Dumb question - are the Bison (Jacks too) ramping up the ## scholarships? or are they still limited by the D-2 numbers?

Are they division 1-AA?

Points of fact, most of those top-scoring Sioux scorers were 18 when they pulled on the green and white for the first time. Kevin Maxwell was 18 during his rookie season in 78-79. (Turned 19 after the NCAA finals...) Troy Murray was 18 during his entire rookie season. Tony Hrkac was 18 during his entire rookie season. Greg Johnson was 18 during most of his rookie season. Perry Berezan was 18 during part of his rookie season. Hextall was 20, and I couldn't get an age on Johannson. Time to stop spreading the age myth ... the top of the list is mostly younger players. ======================================= As to the impact of Parise, I concur. He made/makes the rest of the team better. As to the discussion of Troy Murray's scoring, its worth remembering that the 80-81 Sioux were really REALLY inexperienced (after losing like 10 players off the '80 title team to the pros). As a result rookie Troy got a lot of PP time. In 81-82, he got a lot more ice time checking the opponent's top line (with Sykes and Eades as linemates). ======================================== Who would I tab as the best Sioux player ever? I've only seen since '75, so really can't comment on those that came before then. Of the Sioux players I've seen, I would pick JEFF PANZER. First, he's the 3rd all-time scorer, if memory serves, and had he played during the 80's or early 90's, maybe the all time leader. He led by example, gave 100% every shift, scored dozens of big-time goals, won an NCAA ring and 3 WCHA crowns. During his years with the Sioux, there was always this feeling that we would win, even if the opponent led by say 3 goals with 4 minutes left. And I think his total contribution over 4 years should outweigh the admittedly better scoring stats that Hrkac put up over 2 years or Belfour over 1 year. Hard to argue with any of the names listed earlier, tho.

8000 silent Rodent fans at the old Williams Arena, and 1000 jubilant Sioux fans, after Dave Christian's slapshot into the open net on the final night of the season gives North Dakota their first title in the 'modern era' of Sioux hockey.

Another notable Bashaw, Alberta alum .... Brad Berry. Coincidence? I think not.

Plus, I'm guessing the Murray clan is fairly well off financially. (Compare that to the finances of an Austrian hockey coach ....)

Sacred Heart's goalie got drafted. Oy. We'll be better this year in goal. I'm an optimist.

PCM, you took the words out of my mouth... as I forgot to add that New Jersey, as much as any team, doesn't need immediate help, and with financial uncertainty facing, seems unlikely that they would seek to "pull" ZP out. Contrast that with a team desparate for immediate help, like, say, Buffalo....

Almost as well documented is New Jersey's reputation for developing young talent.

I may be stupid, but ndgopher you are clearly blind and deaf. For EVERY game at Mariucci, the Good Seats sit half-empty - can you not SEE the "M"? And at the West Regional, both "M"'s were clearly visible during every game. Meanwhile up in the back row, and off in the corners, sit a handful of faithful fans, the people who make some noise, (the band, a couple hundred students, credit them for knowing the words to the rouser and how to spell what state they are from) which can be faintly heard at times. Otherwise, the noisiest thing going on is the thump of a body check (not followed by a crowd roar), except for the 15 seconds following a Gopher goal; then its safe to go back to sleep. But the topic here is REA ... and I am frustrated and angry that the UND athletic department doesn't realize that they are turning REA into the kind of quiet, dull, neutral ice building that Mariucci is. And giving away what has been a historic strength in Grand Forks - "home ice advantage". Damn.

Let's just turn the whole place into a cold Mariucci. Sucks.

Nah, it wouldn't be cool. It would be a lot of Panzer speeding on 1 on 2 breaks, with Pohl and Sejna huffing and puffing to try to keep up with Jeffy.

If memory serves, Leinweber is younger than Schneider. Good luck Chris.

Cool. So all we have to do is not name an arena after him.

I like Woog as a commentator. He's pretty honest, although he holds back a little from criticizing Lucia's moves (anything else would just be seen as sour grapes anyway). Before the WCHA Final Five title game, and after the national anthem, Woog was both touching and profound "meanwhile, the big game tonight is being played outside Baghdad". Even Frank Mazzocco had to leave a moment of silence behind that.

I heard a different forecast: 100% chance of Hale. 95% probability of two. Widely scattered shots on goal by Ferris State, diminishing by the third period to virtually nothing. Speedwhack and Notermann will be blowing past you at 25-35 knots. Blizzard of pucks at Mike Brown's end of the rink, heavy at times. Total accumulation of 8-12 goals. Recommend you arrive early, as Speedwhack makes quick hash of all-CCHA goalies, don't be late. This was from the NHFC (National Hockey Forecasting Center): Will let you know Saturday's Forecast when I hear it.

Yeah, its way too early to pull our goalie.

Whites on Saturday, since we'll be the home team.

Count me in for four. I'll be wearing a Sioux jersey and a Mercyhurst hat.

Friday game 1, you'll definitely be able to find a seat. Saturday, UND vs Mercyhurst s/b safe too.