farce poobah

WCHA referees called at least 2 phantom penalties on UND that period. I DO NOT miss that part of the WCHA. Otherwise, we look good. Good jump and we're taking much better care of the puck tonight. For those in the Twin Cities, a reminder that its on TPT-MN (channel 202 Comcast).

I was in a similar boat. If you already bought UND insider for the year .... you should be able to access via NCHC as "already paid". That's what they say anyway. If you didn't already buy UND insider for the year ... the NCHC feed is pretty good. Last night I was able to watch 4 streams at the same time (anything to make the Bemidji-UND game smaller) and it was pretty decent.

Meanwhile, Brock Nelson leads the NHL in scoring. http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?navid=nav-sts-indiv# A 4-point night is a great way to start the season.

In a related story, Gene Taylor sent them $100 because he lost the bet.

I think the NHL went the wrong direction on this shootout thing. Instead of prohibiting spin-o-rama's, they should have required spin-o-rama's. That would have greatly increased the entertainment value of the shootout. Especially the later rounds.

Seems like a scheduling faux pas. UND and Bemidji host Vermont and RPI, but UND plays Vermont in the second game of a back to back, while Vermont didn't play Friday. We may have set ourselves up for this one.

Ferris beating Michigan may loom large later on. That's a B1G win for the WCHA.

Sad news out of Madison: http://www.startribune.com/local/274513211.html My first experience with Bob Suter came at the old Winter Sports Building on UND campus. He was a truly fiery competitor, and the nightly trash talk during warmups got raised a notch between UND fans and him. (I'm recalling the glass was then low enough to allow spectators to talk over the glass with players and officials. [sigh]). I'm sure that competitive fire will burn on in his son, Ryan Suter. On the lighter side, one memory stands out. Bob took a lot of penalties one Friday night, and so on Saturday we offered him a "Change of Address" form from the US Postal Service. It was filled out, and it would forward his mail to "Visitor Penalty Box, Winter Sports Building, Grand Forks, ND 58202". He laughed. 2 minutes later, went back out to continue the battle. And 2 years later, he would be integral to the Miracle on Ice. Rest in peace, Bob Suter.

Link: http://www.gallup.com/poll/175403/north-dakota-legendary-among-states.aspx A lot to feel good about ... and a few things to work on.

My best birthday present ever: December 3, 1982. Sioux Gophers, in Minneapolis, game tied late. Brawl breaks out ... somehow UND gets two extra major penalties. (cue halo) But under the rules then, since both teams had 2 guys with double minors, it was preceded by 4 minutes of 3x3. Patrick pulls the puck of Jon Casey's pads, skates the whole way down the ice, and scores. UND withstands 30 seconds of 5x3, and wins 5-4. (If he hadn't scored, Minnesota would have had 4:30 of 5x3 in overtime ... not quite certain death but pretty da## close, until Patrick wins the game for UND.) Yeah I was lubricated and loud, and lucky to get out of ye olde Williams Arena in one piece. Like I said, best birthday present ever.

Great idea for a late August doldrums discussion. I vote for Mark Taylor. Played four seasons. That was a differentiator for me over a long list of superb 2-year players (Hrkac, Parise, Toews...). #2 on the UND all-time scoring list. Leader on and off the ice (could say the same for Doug Smail), and absolutely instrumental in breaking the title droughts in 1979 (WCHA, 12 years) and 1980 (NCAA, 17 years). Killed penalties; the pairing of Smail and Taylor on the PK might be the best (at least in the 40 years I've been watching UND hockey). Excellent situational awareness ... saw the entire ice. All that said, I would have no problem voting for anyone on the above list.

I think its terrific that Mr. Henry Boucha has agreed to join their board. His voice and strength of character are a powerful addition to that organization.

I think we still have a "VandeVelde for Hobey" sign that we brought to the 2007 WCHA Final Five ... the day after he scored twice. The team liked it ... laughing and pointing during warmups.

Hear, hear. Well said, MafiaMan.

I used to think the Americans complaining about diving by Mexico were exaggerating. Not anymore.

Old school. Genius. Either works for me.

capgeek.com The cap rises by about the same amount that the salaries for these two would rise. But yes, I agree with your central point ... a top-heavy roster can't consistently contend in the new NHL. (Example: Pittsburgh ... superb top 6 players ... then a steep fall off.) That's just the reality ... less spent on the top 6 means a team with better depth.

Thanks for posting. I am okay with 7 of their picks but would replace at least 3 of their list: Ryan Suter in over Ryan McDonagh (geez .... maybe the author should watch a Wild game once in a while). David Backes in, Ben Bishop out. Zach Parise in, Gustav Nyquist out. In the seriously considered list: Chris Kunitz (he of Team Canada's top line ....), Alec Martinez (GWG Stanley Cup 2014), Ryan Miller, JVR, and I wouldn't be a genuine American if I didn't list Team USA's Olympic sensation TJ Oshie.

I had the game on , did homework during, and paid attention off and on.

For all we rag on soccer players,and it's typicallly deserved, ..... There was some True Grit on the USA side tonight.

To all who've posted, I'd like to send a truly heartfelt thank you to those who have shared perspectives and stories so far. I am all the wiser, and even more appreciative of the sacrifices made by your forefathers. TBR: Condolences on the passing of your dad. Congratulations on receiving his blood, genes and character. Anchors Away. Speez, I'm glad you heard the rest of the story, even if posthumously.

Dagies, if you ever write a book, put me down for a copy.

If D-Day had failed, a deal between Germany and USSR to carve up Europe and turn their alliance to face against the US and UK would not have been out of the question. Stalin was furious at the US / UK for not opening up a western front earlier, and a failure on D-Day might have ended the USSR participation in the Allied Powers. (Of course, Roosevelt was equally frustrated that Stalin refused to join in the war against Japan. ) Of course none of that mattered to a man on the landing craft in the early hours of 6 June 1944. The only things that mattered were getting onto the beach, getting off the beach, and silencing the German guns. Unimaginable bravery.

Indeed. Most of those I know who served have passed, but none would ever admit to being a hero.

And, from June 6, 1944, on national radio broadcast, this prayer from Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far. And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer: Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest — until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war. For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom. And for us at home — fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them — help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice. Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts. Give us strength, too — strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces. And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment — let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose. With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace — a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.