dagies

They played an interview Tom Reed did with Blais before the game the other night. Nothing much, but he said he's still in touch with the coaches at UND on a weekly basis and still follows what happens around the WCHA. It was great to hear his voice talking about hockey again, but it was much more subdued than when I'm used to hearing him interviewed by Hennessey after a game.

Cheverie 10 games 8-1-0 1 SO 1.99GA 92.64 svs%

Darcy Zajac now 2nd in the BCHL in scoring 17gp 14-17-31. He's 4th in goals scored. And for a player whose brother said can be "dirty" he's only got 15 PIMs.

I'm not a fan of fighting in hockey but it probably would have been best to let Marvin and Helgeson go and get it done with. I figured Marvin had been provoked. It was the only thing that made sense because he's not been the type of player to go looking for it. Paukovich, if he really was yapping last night, should not be complaining in the paper about the conduct of the Sioux at the end of the game. I'm not sure what he would have expected. I'd have preferred the Sioux win both games and send Denver home with their tails between their legs. Absent that, at least lose, but keep our heads. I didn't like this ending. I'm glad to hear there was some provocation coming from Denver, because that at least helps explain some of it. But Denver got under our skin, and laughed all the way out of the arena. They left feeling pretty good about themselves. I'm with Redwing in that I don't like all this crap hanging over the ice when we go to Denver for what will likely be important conference points. Hopefully the guys will be able to stay focused on the points/games and not the ancillary stuff. I like a good rivalry as much as the next guy, but this has the potential to get a lot worse, and someone else could get seriously hurt on another cheap shot.

Didn't see much on the tube. Please elaborate.

Either the Sioux did a really crappy job tonite or Denver did a very good job of catching up. Denver gave the Sioux very little room to work, unlike last night. No one works as hard as Oshie. I don't know if I've ever seen anyone so good at getting body position on another player, including Parise. However, he had some bad luck connecting with passes or bouncing pucks tonite. Unfortunate. Toews looked a little like he could use some more strength tonite. Lee didn't do everything perfectly, but even when he made a mistake it's amazing how he usually can fix it. He's so good with the puck, and using his stick to pokecheck, etc. He's something to watch. Lammy had a tough game but I'm not sure the D helped him out very much in some occasions. Denver could have gone in the box a few more times tonite, I thought. Now, the end of the game..... I'll reserve final judgement until I hear more about what transpired at the end of the game. I will say I'm disappointed to see the boys lose their composure at the end. Usually the losing side of a 7-2 game gets frustrated and starts stuff. I hope that isn't the case here. With Prpich I can easily imagine that being the scenario. ON THE OTHER HAND, in the past 3 years I cannot ever remember Marvin taking a cheap shot at anyone. So something set him off. Not sure what. And it looked like others at the very end of the game were ready to "go" too. Kaip, and was that Watkins out there about ready to swing his stick? It was hard to see on the tv. Someone else saw Stafford having a conversation with Paukovich. It was tough to see if this was a negative or positive conversation. I was trying to read body language and it looked pretty benign to me. If anyone heard anything on the postgame, or saw anything at the game, I'm all ears. I agree with the other poster who said that winning on Friday and losing big on Sat really sucks the wind out of your sail. Frankly, I feel little was accomplished this weekend. Other than getting a couple of points last night, Denver sails out feeling awfully good about themselves, and that annoys me greatly. I feel terrible for Trotter and hope that he fully heals. What a shame it would be if he can't fully recover. At least that came on a legal hit and will not contribute to what appears to be very bad blood between these two teams. Regardless of who started what tonite, I think this has now turned into a full-fledged rivalry, in the top 3 if not top 2 for the Sioux. Oh, yes, I think I did see Diggler's 1.5 seconds of screen time near the end.

Thank you.

AFTER the game.....

Minneapolis

From watching across Senser's on the TV it is sometimes difficult to tell who is who, but it appeared to me that Duncan and Watkins were alternating as wingers with Stafford and Zajac in the 3rd period. Anyone else notice this? I noticed Kozek and Watkins a LOT more in the 3rd period. I'm not sure I saw much of that line earlier in the game. One thing I'd like to see this early in the season is more even rolling of lines to get everyone a lot of time. Maybe it happened and I just didn't notice it. It was disappointing to see the MO change so much in the 2nd period. I don't know if Denver stepped up its game or the Sioux stepped down. But it was a big change. I agree, Sprig. Denver was doing some tackling out there and I was surprised some more penalties were not called. That said, I think the Sioux got away with some home cooking as well, so I won't complain too much. I just hope the Sioux will take their man advantage tonite and keep it, rather than negate it so often. I think Oshie took down a Denver player in the offensive zone in one such instance last night. How did it take the officials SO long to call the Sioux for 6 men on the ice? Denver's bench must have been going nuts. I wonder if Duncan missed the bunt sign and came out of the box when he should have ridden the pine until a stoppage. Fortunately we're not to crowded where we deer hunt, and it's pretty much our party. So not too much to worry about. Never understood that kind of thing. Never understood the guys who have to get something "at all costs". Takes the experience out of the experience. It's so much cooler to see a rooster rise and cackle, even if you don't get it. I could tell stories..... mikejm, I think I posted elsewhere that from Trotter's reaction I first thought an artery had been cut and I got very very scared for him. Then later it appeared that maybe a broken bone. Thinking that, when watching replays it appeared to me that his leg bent right where Smaby's blade caught it, as Trotters leg hit the boards. Then later it's said it was just a slice. I hope that's the case, but I won't be surprised based on what you say and what I thought I saw on replays if we find out more later. I was thinking, as he lay on the ice, that this was NOT what this rivalry needed right now. Later when I saw replays it does appear to have been a legal check, just very very hard. And it appears that Denver fans are not viewing it the wrong way. That's good.

It gets better. At Senser's last night the SCSU game was showing from the St. Cloud telecast. About mid-way through the 3rd period, FSN must have started it's delayed telecast, so that came up too. Those that wanted got to watch SCSU beat MN twice last night!

Don't feel too sorry for me. Let's see, deer hunting, pheasant hunting..........

Sorry!

Watched the game on tv. No sound. But from what I saw the first period might have been the best period of Sioux hockey I've ever seen, or have seen in a long time. The team was flying and playing aggressive. I've NEVER seen the transition game work so smoothly or quickly. First game I've watched this year. I see what everyone is talking about with Oshie. What an impressive player. Effort second to none. I think he's tied with Toews as our best freshman forward, but Toews appears more skilled. Oshie makes up for it in tenacity. If he stays long enough he could be a Sioux legend. D didn't look out of place, IMO. Smaby looked awesome. Lee is SO smooth. He's got some silky moves. Toews appeared to score that goal without looking. I think he sold pass, and stole goal. Toews can really handle the puck in tight spaces. Kozek was flying around but fairly quiet. Great to see Radke get a goal. Good game. Glad I got to see it. Will be a while till I can see another one.

Saw you there, MafiaMan. Looked like you were with "the Family". Didn't make it over to introduce myself. Hotfooted it out after the game. Wow, is Senser's decked out with TV's now!

Sorry, can't help you from Mpls. But my brother-in-law and I got 4 local pheasants in SW MN on the 16th!

Taken in any of the possible ways that's not a good thing.

You need to eat more "local" ducks.

Even better now that I can come home and not smell like smoke. AND from what I'm reading, FEW GOPHER FANS!

YES!! Exactly. The only statement that raises my eyebrows is "that's the kind of team they are". But that can be interpreted 2 ways. One way is obvious, the other has already been mentioned. The Sioux team WAS intimidating to many teams last year. I'm sure they played the part. As for Paukovich's or Gwoz's worries about the fan reaction, I'm comfortable enough with my mimimal masculinity to tell this story. I tell it because I'm pretty sure most all the fans are not disimilar from me. At the Final Five last year, as Bina lay on the ice and Paukovich skated to the box, we were 11 rows up from him. I was screaming bloody murder at Paukovich, telling him he was a cheap axx, and to sit is cheap axx down, blah blah blah. A yahoo Sioux fan in the row above me decided he needed to tell me that I wouldn't say that to Paukovich's face. No effing kidding. But guess where we aren't? In the parking lot. We happen to be at a sporting event. He's on the ice. I'm in the stands. I didn't like what he did, and I let him have it. Am I so stupid as to think it really matters? No. That's why I posted in another thread somewhere that we fans "win or lose" every game. We just can't play the game. We're not going to beat up Paukovich, but we're going to get our "pound of flesh" in our own way.

Hak is in control of this team. I believe the incident is way far down on the list of priorities for this team. I believe the main priorities are to get as many points as possible from a top WCHA team, and remain focused on that goal throughout the weekend. Us fans are making WAY more of this than either team is, IMO. I don't think Gwoz has anything to worry about from the chat room banter. The fans want their pound of flesh, but just like we can't skate and win hockey games, we aren't going to physically go after Paukovich. The fans want to vent their anger and will do so, but it will be verbal, not physical. Frankly, I get tired of reading the "Prpich or Finley are going to school Paukovich". Whoever says that apparently doesn't realize Paukovich is plenty big, would smear Prpich on the ice, and Finley is a youngster who needs to concentrate on learning to play hockey at the D1 level, not pounding the opponent in retaliation for an event that happened before he even knew when or where he'd play college hockey. That said, I have no problem with Paukovich getting a severe riding by the fans. I'd like to be there too.

Thanks for this, Pat. Very informative.

From the coaches show last night and this article today, it sounds like the chemistry is developing well on this team. Good leadership from the upperclass, and youngsters who are willing to follow the proper lead. This is a very encouraging sign.

Give me a break. What is it about a spear and an arrowhead that is over the line?