dagies

DaveK, it's nice to see you let yourself go a little.

Oh Travis, we hardly knew ye... When Irmen signed I was pretty sure Zajac would sign. Maybe it's not for the same reason but I think with the CBA these guys needed to take the money and run. Just my guess, anyway. And Zajac has been a monster in big games late in the season the last 2 years. You could see this coming the way he played the last month or so. We'll miss you here, Travis. What a great all-around forward. It was a lot of fun to watch you.

It would be nice if Sparky and Oshie were both back next year. How about that for an understatement?

I'm going to miss these recaps. This one might have been the pinnacle recap of the year. With all due respect to Erik Fabian, I'll admit I underestimated him when he came into the program. I offer my apologies because he's shown over the last 2 years that he is a big contributor.

We have to be careful about blindly assigning a "majority rules" designation on any situation. At one point in time the majority rules had blacks sitting in the back of the bus. That said, I've yet to see any evidence that using the Fighting Sioux nickname the way UND does is anything like that.

Yes, Jim Dahl. Here's the second thread for the Hall of Fame.

Wow. Mike, thanks for posting. I, too, was one who occasionally was frustrated with a penalty from time to time but I absolutely DUG 95% of what you put on the ice. You are a unique player and character and you have created your own page in Fighting Sioux hockey lore. Among all the great contributions you brought to the team and the program, I'm sure many that we couldn't see on the ice, I will forever remember the ever-present smile. Whether it was after a great play, or agitating an opponent, you showed how much you truly loved being out there. And that's the kind of player who becomes a fan favorite. We will miss you. Thanks for the memories. Good luck to you in everything you do. (p.s. I wonder if you realize how much us rube fans appreciate a post like that from a player?)

I'm pretty sure this is a case of "if he's on my team he's a hard nosed player, any other team he's a goon". I would have loved Irmen if he was on the Sioux, and I think most people would have. Gopher fans HATE Jason Blake (for the most part) but they loved Westrum. Had Blake played for the Gophers, they would have loved him. It's a classic scenario.

Again, no explanation of how using the Fighting Sioux nickname is causing people to have these "racist and stereotypical" attitudes. I'm always ashamed to hear of these situations where nickname supporters react with a lack of class or vulgarity. That behavior clouds the discussion on the real issue. Does the nickname cause this attitude or not. I still say no, and I've not read anything that says otherwise. Phil Jackson says that if some people are offended, then the nickname should be changed. Well, is it the nickname that's really offending people? That hasn't yet been connected, IMO. So why do the rest of us have to change something that may not really be an issue.

That's impressive deep thinking, Phil. First off, think about "Sioux". It's not a derogatory term anymore. Even the American Indians use that in marketing their casinos. "Yankees" likely was a derogatory term given the Revolutionists by the British, but no one is complaining about New York's baseball team using that name. Secondly, 10% of people are offended so that's enough reason to censor one's self? What about the 90% who aren't? Where does "reasonable" fit into this %?

Well, I think we're getting a handle on what happened during that MN/HC game now....

You've gotta be kidding me. I'm love Blais as much as the next guy, but why don't people remember the monster disappointments of 1998 and 1999 when they bring up "Dean Blais wouldn't have lost" arguments.

I love to hear players say this as much as the next person but it really can't be something a fan can count on. Even an undrafted player like Parise has potentially much to gain by playing "hard to get".

I hadn't heard that about Geris, but I'm pulling for him. I work with his aunt.

There, now you spoke for me.

Got mine last week.

Our jobs? Now, don't everybody laugh at once....

no problemo

By no means was I making any judgement on whether or not Jacque could or should be able to get into Air Force Academy. I have some experience with people going through security clearances, and for some levels/situations prior psychiatric care can have an affect on that clearance. Being this is a military school, I can see how that could possibly factor in. That's all. I have no real knowledge of Jacque's situation other than what has been in the media.

Yes, but they have medication to take care of that now.

If you are undergoing a security clearance, this sort of thing can come into play. It's unfortunate for Jacque that it's affecting where he wants to go to school. If he's good enough, however, he'll likely have another chance at another D1 school. I wish him the best of luck after what he has had to work through.

I've been unable to stick to close to things the past week. Disappointing to lose to BC, but I'm still proud to be a Sioux fan. A great team with no quit in them. Sometimes you have your best game, and sometimes you don't. Without Smaby and Parise, this team would not have been playing in the Frozen Four. Way to go Sioux! Thanks for a good run and WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

I think the reasons Irmen left do not bode well for some Sioux players on the "leaving early bubble". O well. Let's get our #8 this year if we can.

Drove back from Chicago today. Of course, we were going west and not east, but had only small delays from construction. It didn't look like the eastbound traffic was in too much trouble either. Outside the nasty one west of Menomonie, we noticed a sign that said "Major Delays, Expect 1 hour Friday PM - Sunday PM". Being we experienced nearly that on the east bound lane last Friday night at about 6pm I guess they know what they were saying. So hopefully this means that on Thursday morning you folks won't have too much trouble. FYI

Jim Dahl, I don't know if we have any sort of "Thread Hall of Fame" on this board where certain threads go to never be lost in history, but this thread deserves it.