dagies

Not sure I totally agree on this. While I do agree any team can get on a hot 4 game streak and win the tourney, I still think there's something to getting hot at the right time. Denver suffered injuries through the year and got healthy near the end except for losing Conner James in the CC series. Checking their record, they had not lost a game since the end of January, excepting the sweep by CC in the playoffs. But they swept CC the weekend before, and they are big rivals, so you may have to factor that intangible in. Also, James broke his leg that series and that may have played a part as well. Otherwise this team swept Mankato, MN, CC, and won and tied Tech. In fact, the week prior to starting this streak they got absolutely manhandled by the Sioux on Friday night and came back and tied us on Saturday. They went on their little streak, then they beat Miami, ND, Duluth and Maine to finish it out. I think they got their stuff together at the end, and their goaltending peaked at the same time.

Congratulations to Junior Lessard for winning the Hobey. Wish Zach would have won it but maybe Bo knows Hobey next year. I don't think the case is so clear cut for Zach that we should be crying about conspiracy theories, etc. Just win baby.

I heard that interview too and was concerned right away what would happen. With Blais saying a couple weeks ago he's not too concerned about losing others this spring it makes me more hopeful. Then his most recent quote saying next year's success is dependant on who stays in school.......... While I'm optimistic we won't be losing Stafford this soon, I'm CAUTIOUSLY optimistic. A part of me is definitely concerned.

I don't think you're talking about the right guy.

I said the Sioux would win the title after sweeping Duluth. It's all my fault. I also didn't give Denver a chance against UMD today. And maybe UMD didn't either after scoring 2 quick goals. Too bad for UMD but you gotta give props to Denver for finishing 5th in the conference, losing in the first round of the playoffs, and battling strong teams to play in the national championship game. What a turnaround!

I was pulling for Duluth but congrats to Denver. It doesn't sting quite as much to lose to them now. Still..................................................................

I'm not sure about that. After a verbal a kid can still look around. I hesitate to mention any names because any info I have is sketchy but I think more connected posters in this neighborhood could tell stories of recruits who visited UND and said they were going to come and then went on visits elsewhere and signed elsewhere. That would be a case of recruits leaving the school hanging.

I hope things go well for Grant. It's great to see GF kids making it big.

Here's a quote from the article linked above (obviously PCM didn't write this article. oof)

I thought Panzer had fantastic speed. But lacking a little strength. I thought Goren lacked strength for the pro game.

It's all about development. Like the article says, some kids are real young when they are offered and when they want to make a commitment. Could be they don't develop the way they are expected to. lawkota makes a good point also. We don't know what communication took place between the parties (if any) in the past that may bear on this story.

I still think jk's point is valid. I wouldn't have kicked Vanek off the team, would you? Sure, his effort was tilted to the offensive zone but the guy was a machine offensively. And his play last year was a very significant reason MN won a repeat championship. Say what you want he was a heck of a player.

I agree with PCM. It was great to see him get better as the year went on. I saw the team play a handful of times through the season. You could tell Brady was a very very good player, but he always seemed 1/2 step, 1/2 stick away from making an "outstanding" play, though he was trying. By the time I saw him in GF in the Denver series and in the FF it seemed to me Brady had closed that gap and was making some of those plays. He's an excellent player and I am very much looking forward to watching him again next year. He's got more speed and IMO more "flash" than Zach had. Zach had more strength I thought, and could use his body to position himself better than the opponent. Brady might be as good.

Yeah, only 1 will start each game

In a very nerd-like move, I bent my glasses.

If Grand Prairie and Salmon Arm both win their league's championships they will compete against each other This is from a news note on the AJHL website, April 5th news release http://www.ajhl.ca/

He was apparently "cut" from the Sioux a few years ago.

Fixed!

A couple of memorable instances for me: 1997 Final Five Championship game. Adrenaline running high for the whole game. It's now OT. A puck laying out front and Peter Armbrust buries it home for a Final Five Championship. Euphoria! 2001 Final Five Championship. Sioux coming back against St. Cloud in the 3rd. After one of our goals watching Panzer come out for the next face-off and you can tell from his body language he's having a blast and can't wait for the puck to drop. Another exiting game. Duluth series in Duluth this year. Going into a building where Duluth swept the hot MN Gophers with the cup going to Duluth if we get swept. We turn the tables in 2 very well played games and cart the McNaughton home. 2 very well played games, very exciting, good crowds. A real blast!

Yeah, he left during the season.

Amen, brother. Amen

Don't mistake this as an advertisement for Lammy being the #1 goalie. I think we have 2 pretty solid guys (maybe 3?) already and Lammy looks like he may be able to compete with them. Lammy faced a TON of shots this year. Following are some stats compared to Kellen Briggs who had a solid year this year for MN. I compare the 2 because they both faced a very heavy workload their last year in the USHL:

I think he went the other way

Shouldn't he have gone to Blake?

Since I am a real talent scout, I'll ask this question: How mobile is he? It's great to be big and hit hard but what if you can't either get in position to hit someone or can't catch them? If he's big, aggressive, can skate, and at least not panic with the puck he may be a prospect.