farce poobah

Speez, thanks for the update. I saw a handful of practices during the Panzer-Panzer years and it sounds very familiar. There is no substitute for chemistry ... that 1997 team had how many NHL draftees? like 1? but the rest is history, as they say. You didn't say anything about the goalies ... any observations there?

Not being "inside the locker room", I am just speculating, OK? But ... the reasons Blais would do something - and reasons that are consistent with his philosophy - are basic things like: 1) Low effort ... if Blais isn't satisfied with the effort, even first-round draft choices get benched, or booted down to the NHL. Having played a lot of team sports, nothing ruins team chemistry worse than working your butt of when someone else isn't putting out 100%. 2) Failure to accept coaching ... 3) Conditioning ... 4) Grades ... Again, I don't know the facts of this situation. As a fan, I'm willing to give the current players time to develop, and there's nothing I'd like more. I think Eddie B. has a couple years of eligibility left.

Dude, Thanks! Good stuff.

Thanks for the updates on Tyler. I hope he gets back in there soon. As to my predictions, 3-1, 4-3, home side.

Well, we don't have Pateman to kick around anymore. Or Jackman. Which probably explains the huge number of passionate posts about the upcoming series. I saw the mavs vs. gophers ... and was not "that" impressed. Their D (young) got turned a lot by the gopher forwards, and if Jason Jensen hadn't been solid in goal, they lose both games. Up front, a couple scorers but young there also. As to the Sioux, is there any recent word on Tyler? Otherwise, the roster seems pretty intact. (knock on wood) Predictions?

In one of the games from that era at the Dane, Jon Casey gave up a 200 footer (from Chris Chelios, I think it was ... maybe Bruce Driver) ... I think it was a clearing attempt shorthanded or an intentional icing ... and of course the whole joint was getting on him with the "Casey Casey Casey" thing.

Yup. It was like UAA was late for a party or something. Dump the puck in, don't chase it, wait for the Sioux to bring it back, and once we were up a few goals, we stopped going in with the heavy forecheck, so it was like an NHL game. I remember the games went really fast, like 2:05 or so. THAT team had a bunch of shutouts after Christmas, when Schweitzer came in... although I think Toby Kv s/get a lot of credit, for supporting the rookie goaltender.

Yup, glory years for me were 1977 to 1981; saw the end of the Bjorkman years, and the first of the Gasparini years. Spooky to think that before November 1978, that the "new building" was seen as a fairly neutral, not quiet but not intimidating place to play. And yes,if you stood on the front row bleachers that you could rest your elbows comfortably on top of the glass. Talk to the refs, tell Mark Johnson he was only on the team cause his dad was coach, tell Aaron Broten that he was only on the team because they wanted to recruit Neal, etc etc. With the glass that low, "safety first" was a serious thing. I had Deano for "skating class", it was my most memorable 1-credit class.

That sweep on Feb 21-22, 1997 vs. Alaska Anchorage was the most airtight hockey I've ever seen the Sioux play. (The 2001 national semifinal vs. Michigan State was the best vs a top team.) Clinched the Cup, after 10 long years away from its rightful home. Of course, there's lots more chances for this year's team. Spike Schultz has 4 consecutive shutouts in 53?or54 ... but I don't think any other Sioux goalie has ever gotten 3. Which makes Brandt's 177 minutes possibly the second longest streak in school history. Anybody have more info on the topic?

OK, OK, as long as we're doing gambling references.... Any word on line combo's? will he "shuffle the deck" again? * seems like lines 2-3-4 will get mixed again. * although the list of "regulars" has gotten a little more settled. With Fuher back, defense seems like a "pat hand". * should help the power play. The "wild card" in all this, is goaltending. While I don't expect us to spin a "double zero" as we did vs. UAA in Feb 1997 (back to back shutouts with barely a scoring chance against), I think "snake eyes" is a possibility. But don't bet the farm on it.

Very interesting indeed. Are you suggesting they will "test the waters" or will they just swim?