dagies

Looks like Michigan will be a test for the defense. Some bright spots from this past weekend that bode well for the future, IMO. From what I've seen either in person or on TV it seems that Watkins, Kaip and Lee are played at a higher level this weekend than they have yet this year. Considering the absence of Stafford it really helps to see some guys step up a notch. Especially Watkins and Lee seemed to play with more assertiveness and confidence that I'd seen recently. We will need those continued contributions on Friday.

MVParise I believe LaPoint was said to be visiting UND today. Someone should make sure he reads this comment by Motzko from the above link

That's much better!

Goon, it's pretty critical you get the comma in the right place in that sentance.

How cool is that? Way to go, everyone.

Thanks for doing that. Very much appreciated.

I believe Coach Hakstol will keep the team focused on one thing, and that's the Michigan game. He's consistently carried that message through all year, to success. Jordy was interviewed on the FSN broadcast of the WI game, and he was asked about looking forward to possibly winning the tournament and he responded with the cliche "we're only taking this one game at a time", and then clarified that with "to be more precise, this one game with Wisconsin". So it seems that the players took it that way as well. Secondly, while the Sioux celebrated the Final Five championship, they didn't seem to act like it was the end of the year. It wasn't an over the top celebration, and they didn't skate the trophy around the rink (to our chagrin) like we've seen in past Final Fives. To me, that's an indication that they are more focused on the task in front of them that celebrating the past. Finally, Hakstol's comments at the alumni gathering seem to indicate that while he feels good about the team's ability to play in the NCAA, they will not be looking at the future possibilities, and only focusing on the game at hand.

Nice meeting you, YaneA. Keep up the great work!

Considering most people here have pretty much assumed Stafford would leave after this year, yeah.

Pretty good except for Goepfert stealing the gopher game...

Someone told me that Hakstol spoke at the Alumni gathering after the game on Friday and he said that the team really feeds of "...home of the SIOUX" when they are at other rinks. On Saturday night I was there when Hakstol again talked about how great it is to look up and see all the Sioux fans, and Sioux colors in the crowd, and the vocal support the team gets.

Time to repay Michigan.

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Actually, Siouxman, we thought today the gophers looked like they'd spent a satisfying St. Patty's Day at Blarney's last night.

Does anyone know if there will be any type of reception for our boys after the game regardless of the outcome?

SCSU might be well positioned to be the first team to win the FF from the play-in game. A goaltender who can steal games and has all year. SCSU has beaten the Sioux the last 2 meetings, even though the Sioux played well. SCSU plays a solid defensive game, not giving up too much in front of the net, and trying to keep the shots from the outside and clearing out the rebounds. An opportunistic team with enough finishing ability to make the most of their offensive opportunities. They know winning tomorrow gets them into the NCAA's. Hopefully the Sioux will find enough cracks in BG's armor to get the job done tomorrow night.

Oshie was an absolute stud today against Wisconsin. He looked more like a junior than a freshman. That said, it's only fair to post my impressions of Kessel from tonite's game as well. He's electric with the puck. Some have said he gets all the defensive attention, but I'm amazed at how much space he's give when he has the puck. Obviously that's respect for what he can do to a defender. He's extremely quick, makes excellent passes on the power play and gets up to speed faster than anyone else I've seen. I'd still take Oshie on my team, overall, but Kessel does some things exceptionally well too.

I wonder if they even packed the whites?

Ranch dressing and Tabasco Sauce mixed in the proper proportions was an acceptable facsimile. The sudo-grinders worked out very satisfactorily (won't make you forget the Pepper, but very good in their own right). Soft french bread, cheap individually wrapped slices of swiss, sauce, shredded lettuce, taco meat, deli ham. And as my buddy who gave me the recipe said, best served with an aloof and indifferent attitude (and no forks). We did our best.

Thank you! We're making our best copy of ham and taco meat grinders at my place for pregame today. Looking forward to another good day of hockey!

Congratulations to Phil Kessel for winning the award. He certainly had a good enough year to be considered in the argument, and it's clear he's a very dangerous player. Someone else mentioned it but I agree, congratulations to Oshie for coming from almost nowhere to compete very closely for the RoTY honor. Way to go, TJ!

It would seem the point differential for Kessel and Toews would justify the Tastes Great/Less Filling argument. The experts seem to think they are awfully close.

Was at the game tonite. Looked like SCSU was ready to start the game and UMD was not. UMD's defense, well, let me stop right there. What defense? Ziggy was left out to dry all night long. One goal he should have stopped but his boys didn't clear the puck in a scrum either. I don't know how SCSU only had 9 shots on goal for the first couple of periods the way UMD's defense was playing. SCSU was all over UMD in the first, but UMD did do a good job of keeping the puck in the offensive zone for most of the 2nd period, but they couldn't capitalize. SCSU did a good job of keeping UMD away from the front of the net, keeping the puck on the perimeter, and not allowing shots to get through to the net. UMD did get off a couple of shots that Goepfert never saw, unfortunately for them they weren't on net. At the end of the 2nd period SCSU woke up and decided to play and they carried that over into the 3rd period and that was pretty much that. I was really disappointed in Niskanen. IMO he didn't allow opposing forwards enough room and got beat numerous times. He had trouble handling the puck and looked tentative on the ice. Hopefully its a matter of strength and maturity and he'll come on for the Dogs in the future. Gergen and Raymond looked pretty good, as did Stapleton, who was probably UMD's best player all night long. SCSU did a good job on the PK. They play pretty high in the zone and pressure the puck. Seemed like they had 3 guys working the perimeter so UMD had little time to set anything up. On the other side of the rink, UMD seemed to work a smaller box and allowed SCSU to work the perimeter at will, but still made it difficult to work it in close, except for the WIDE open cross ice pass for the PP goal SCSU scored early in the game. That passing lane was SO wide open I think Potulny would have scored 2 goals off that pass. SCSU was opportunistic, but I don't think MN will have that much trouble with them. Goepfert will need the game of his life tomorrow night I suspect. A question on Goepfert. My comrades and I were wondering, with his black pads, does he get a few extra quick whistles because the ref loses the puck in his equipment? Might not be a bad strategy.

Or.....maybe you just think of women a lot.

Very nice story. I guess this puts some conjecture to rest