dagies

Let's be honest, when you see other programs loading up with top rated recruits, and your own program's list is fairly short, it's pretty easy to get a little nervous as to what is left in the cupboard. You kept the faith that things would turn out, but when when you're on the outside looking in, without the information and knowing the options really are, you cannot be faulted if you start to question what's going on. That said, Hakstol's had a very good last few months on the recruiting trail. As Sioux fans we can hope that we're not getting BC/WI/MN/etc's leftovers. There are so many good players and they cannot all go to one school. So the Sioux should be bringing in some very talented players.

Baloney. I've seen him lay a couple of guys on their arse without a penalty. Once in person in Mankato, and once via the webcast this last Saturday.

If either the US or Canadian team gets bumped before the WJC championship game, would those players return early, or do they all stay through the completion of the tournament? A couple of things. MTU doesn't seem to be playing like a doormat. A shorthanded Sioux team will need to be on top of their game to take necessary points at home from them. It would appear that the Sioux could really use some talented guys to step up a notch over the next 5 weeks or so. If guys like Miller, Forney and Kozek could be effective on a top 2 line that would really help round things out when Toews is missing. If Forney could make the jump to the 2nd line effectively, we could be alright. I like leaving Kozek and VandeVelde together if they are playing so well as a checking line. The points they prevent the other team's top line from scoring are as important as what they might score on their own. I'd like to leave Miller on that line since they've been effective, but thought his scoring potential on that top line (we witnessed it in Mankato) might be a priority. It would be interesting to see how Forney reacts on a line expected to produce. So far he's played on bottom lines with other freshmen. Put out there with a couple of cycling studs like Porter and Watkins it would be interesting to see how he fits in. Duncan/Oshie/Miller Porter/Watkins/Forney Zajac/VandeVelde/Kozek Fabian/Kaip/Bishop/Martens

The Big W. Haven't you seen "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World"?

I would have more readily agreed with you if Dahl was still the coach. I believe Motzko is changing things in St. Cloud, and the future is brighter there than it has been. Time will tell.

Hak said he played well against CC's top center/line all game on Saturday, so Hak left him in that role. If he contributes significantly to holding the other team to 16-17 shots on goal, and holding the other top line from scoring, than we can live with his lack of point production.

From what I have seen, and someone else mentioned it already, is that Toews is much stronger than last year on the puck, and does a fantastic job of using body position to maintain control of the puck and keep the defender at bay. He doesn't have a ton of slick moves that leave your jaw on the floor, just solid hockey sense. Would like to see the goals start to rack up for him, though. Was heartened to hear Hakstol say that Oshie's hand is finally healed up and now he's more capable of making the types of plays that he is able to. We'd only heard a bit about a dinged up thumb a couple of weeks ago. If some of his statistical silence can be attributed to a bad hand, and now that's healed (and note his impact this weekend) that bodes well for the future if he can stay healthy. Hopefully the Sioux will have worked through the injury bug in the first half of the season, and the second half they can put it together.

Dude?

He used to have his sister do that stuff for him.

I forgot to add the TH said he talked to Scott Owens after last night's game. Owens told him that the Sioux are a very good team, and everyone will see that before the end of the season, as they start to "put it all together". That's encouraging to hear. Hopefully he wasn't just being nice.

I'm on the outside looking in, but have talked to a couple people closer to the scene, and can read the scoresheet for myself. A new program should be able to progress, not regress over the first few years. The best players shouldn't be leaving early unless it's a men's program. There's obviously a serious problem, and it appears to be at the top. You can criticize a coach and still support the program. I don't live in GF, I've been to 1 women's game in the 1 weekend I get to GF most years. I'd go again if the team was good and scheduling worked out. But I don't see any excuse for how pathetic the program is this year. And how else can you describe it, really?

I alway stop to read a post by farce poobah, for good reason....

Supposedly Blood loved the atmosphere at the SCSU game on his visit (was the opponent MN?). Too bad he wasn't in tonite instead of last night. Better game, with probably a better atmosphere....

I had my hands full of raw swedish meatballs so couldn't post or make notes about Hak's postgame comments, but from what I remember here are some tidbits: Felt that the team had played hard enough lately to get some points even when they didn't but they made mistakes that cost them the game. Tonite he felt the team played hard and pretty much eliminated the mistakes, and that's why they won. Told the guys after the game to remember what it was "that got them there" meaning, what they did differently that made a difference from last night to tonite. Said VandeVelde's line was on the CC 1st line all night long. Though VV played very well. He had him on the CC 1st line because VV did the best job on the CC's best center. And not for just 1 or 2 shifts, but all night long. Said Oshie had a great game, and that he's able to do more of what he's capable of now that his hands are healed up. Said Zajac played well. Commented on how he's got 4 goals already this season, but he needs to play more consistently game to game. Feels we're starting to see some chemistry growing on some of the lines. Mentioned that the VandeVelde/Kozek/Miller line has been together for a week now, and of course the top 2 lines. Hak has always said you learn more from a win than a loss. Hopefully the lessons learned tonite will carry over until the Wisconsin series. I know they have the US team next week, but that would seem an opportunity for guys to take the game a little less seriously. I was very happy to see that the guys could stay out of the box. They've taken so many penalties it was nice to see them mostly play even up.

Oshie doing a great job trying to get someone, anyone, a goal by carrying the puck in the offensive zone, and finding an open man. Chorney almost rewards that effort by clanging one off the post. Great efforts by Oshie. He finished the shift by trying himself from the slot but too much traffic.

Sioux leading on shots 35-15.

Great job by Oshie on the PP. He carried the puck down the left side on the PP, drawing the attention his way, then passed back and over to Chorney who ripped a wrister in for the 5th of the night. Great effort, and a great shot.

Thanks 01grad! Great effort by the VV/Kozek/Miller line. Kozek was last to the puck behind CC player behind the net, but got body position on the guy and centered the puck to a linemate for a great chance. Then the line continued to work and generated another great chance. Good to see.

Finley just had what I thought was an excellent shift. He totally rode the puck carrier out of the play early in the shift, then late in the shift destroyed the puck carrier and left him laying on the ice. Very good job by Finley.

That was a poor excuse for a power play. What a relief when CC got their guy back. Porter got a great shot on goal....

Miller with a great breakaway attempt. He's got nice quickness. Unfortunately a CC player managed to get a hand on him and keep him from getting off his best attempt. Great effort.

Ok, kids. Tonite's lesson is on why you NEVER pass the puck out in front of your own goal. The CC players tries this, and Kozek practically pulls a groin getting a skate kicked out to stop the puck. It bounces in front of Kozek and he gets a wacky backhand attempt that manages to slip between Zaba's legs. THAT'S why you never pass the puck in front of your own goal. Should have been a good pass except for a little bad luck.

On tonite's pregame Bowen said that Lammy probably wanted a couple of last night's goals back. Could be just his first game back, and if he has a good game tonite I won't worry too much about him.

I second that.

Sioux outshooting CC 17-6 in the first period. I thought the Sioux looked like they were playing more physically than what I saw in watching only the 3rd period last night. Still won't confuse this team for the hard hitting teams of a couple of years ago, but at least some bodies getting thrown around. Still confused, however, that it appeared a couple of Sioux players pulled off of finishing a check when they could have destroyed a CC player in open ice just after they delivered the puck. Smaby would have seen an extra $20k in his contract if he saw those opportunities, and a couple of Sioux players, Finley being one of them, apparently don't. After those 2 goals, the last 2 Sioux lines absolutely dominated in the offensive zone. CC was running around, couldn't clear, and the Sioux generated chance after chance. Zajac nearly had his 2nd goal. Hopefully they can keep this up.