farce poobah

OK, a Nickel Trophy story that's also about my Dad. He was a graduate of NDSU, and a coin collector. He educated me about the Buffalo Nickel, which has a Sioux on the front and a Bison on the back. It was after I went to UND that I started calling them Sioux Nickels. Something he never really appreciated. Even so, he was happy when UND won (unless against NDSU), because its such a small state and anyone from North Dakota starts out in life or in sports as the underdog in just about anything. Especially compared to places with more money and more people. I'm old fashioned enough to share that view.

Great topic for a Sunday morning. I think ...: First, we need guys to play with their head on straight. This starts with reducing penalties. There's been too many NEEDLESS penalties, and by several different players. Hardly any were "good" penalties, such as to stop a scoring chance. Hand in hand with penalties is moving feet and working the systems. A fair number of coverage misses were because one player was out of position, drawing others out "to help out", leaving yet another Spartan open. Disciplined play. Trust your teammate does his job, so you can do yours. Roster wise, its time to consider moving a forward back to defense. We need more speed and puck moving skill back there. And as we saw last year (and so far this year) the team's foundation starts with good defenseman play. I can't say goaltending needs to change, but it could be better. Time to steal some extra hours from our volunteer coach and I'll trust what judgments Mr Goehring says. All these guys were selected to play here for a reason. They just need to remember how good they are when they play the game right.

I Like the message-sending from Berry. And if you've been watching a lot and you're in the lineup tonight, show everyone you want to stay. I agree with the idea that last night was different from the other losses, in that we just didn't give it 100% effort. Tonight should be different.

Re Vancouver vs Chicago last night: Was cool to see Stecher out in 3x3 overtime with the Sedins. He is a great fit for 3x3. And Schmaltz looks at home with Toews and Kane. His puck pursuit and fast stick fit right in with those two.

I'm hoping it lasts through the next shot on goal. Repeat.

Don't look now, but Cam is up to 157 minutes ...

If St Cloud had scored to make it 2-1, its game on. At 3-0, we are way on top of them.

Back breaker. Coming so soon after the St Cloud SH breakaway.

You're talklng about his goaltending. Right?

#tArrogance, revisited.

Once again this weekend, Penn State goes behind the woodshed to FILL UP ON CUPCAKES! Just quick recap, they've got 7 cupcake wins against #59, #55, #54, and #51 so far. On second thought, all those cupcakes are good preparation for a B1G season.

Under-appreciated Shakespeare quote. I love it.

Bulletin Board Material. How many times do you think they've been reminded that the internet broadcast keeps microphones open during radio timeouts?

It helped that Parrish coached Gersich this summer.

Please, can we stop with the politics and return to talking about the "awesomeness" of Moo U?

For those travelling to St Cloud, please check the weather forecast. It doesn't look good (as of now) for travelling between ND and St Cloud. If you're coming from the Cities, we're just getting a dusting. Stay safe.

Do you think he was waiting all game for the right time?

Big Ten with 2 wins vs Hockey East tonight. I guess I'm okay with that.

And without Parise in the lineup. They looked good. Depth players are more credible than in years past.

Indeed. And its not too often these days both goaltenders are given game misconducts.

Troy Stecher with his first NHL point last night. And his first NHL fight.

I'm not normally a fan of defensive time outs, but that was astute quick thinking. Nice hold by UND defense.

That TD pass was very nicely placed.

http://www.bigskyconf.com/sports/2015/11/19/WatchBigSky.aspx

For anyone who's still on the fence about going, ticket prices have fallen from stratospheric levels, as many predicted. Lots in the $50's as Friday hits. http://www.stubhub.com/minnesota-golden-gophers-hockey-tickets-minnesota-golden-gophers-north-dakota-fighting-hawks-11-4-2016/event/9624781/?mbox=1&rS=6&abbyo=true&sliderpos=true&qtyq=false&dUpg=false&sort=price+asc&qty=2