dagies

FYI, my friends daughter plays on boys teams at this point, and is of a level where they are beginning to check.

A friends daughter had attended last week, I think, and was happy because Blais had spent a bit of individual time with her on checking technique. Good to see he participates, and doesn't just lend his name to the camp.

Yeah, but the vehicle was only going 55. When the gas tank blew up I was thrown forward through the windshield and the cop clocked me at 95. All I remember about my little court hearing was what the judge in the little town had to say: "Whaat we have heeya, is a failyah...to communicate!"

To add a bit of perspective, I was once convicted of a misdemeanor for driving 95 mph in a 55mph zone. In the eyes of the law these are similar offenses.

What I mean is that being the Sioux Indians were here prior to the white man....naturally the Bison were too but they were just food for the Sioux.

I have no idea where it started but it makes the most sense when it is "home of the Sioux" don't you think?

I have to say that is f'ing funny.

Fabian is a forward. Hale is probably going to operate as a forward this year. Well, at least that is my assumption. That's what he's been up till now.

Aha!

That is sounding vaguely familiar as well. You know, I wonder if the back injury killed his ECHL career, not his UND career.

When I think small defensemen I think of Curtis Murphy and Curt Giles. Maybe it's too bad his name isn't Curt Bina... Curtis Murphy was not only an excellent offensive defenseman but he was also known for having an excellent hip check. He played well positionally, etc. Curt Giles played for the North Stars for a long time and was a very solid defenseman for them, even though he was short for his position. It is my hockey inexpert opinion that a small defenseman can still be very effective if he knows how to position himself to deny the forward a preferred path to the goalie or can deny the pass from getting to that forward. If he can skate well, and make good choices with the puck and make good passes it would seem to me he could be very serviceable. I'm curious what the experts would say.

I missed seeing the early 80's teams. Wish there was tape somewhere.

SORRY! I didn't read that thread first. I seem to remember that Ian had a back injury that limited his play with the Sioux. I thought that was pretty much it for his career but then this article says he played briefly in the ECHL. I guess I'm not sure.

Belfour was in goal. I just received a copy of that game and have watched the 1st period on tape. I also saw all the home games that year. This team was amazing, Hrkac is as good as advertised, Kidd scored an AMAZING goal in the first period....... MSU was completely shut down in the first period. What a fun game to watch.

http://www.athletics.mtu.edu/ Lot of former Sioux players in coaching it seems.

Good point, Sagard. On a related note, a buddy knows someone who works on the FSN crew, doing all types of sporting events. He said the crew loves the GF trips, but did allow that the big shots may have issues that the crew doesn't know about....

Gopher fans are beginning to yell it quite vociferously. As if they are original.....

Fournier - head case, left program Bochenski - What more can you ask for? Massen - could become a more dependable scorer McMahon - great face-off guy, good checking line center, good role-player Canady - need to see him step up, not make mental mistakes, score a few goals Connelly - good effort but needs consistency, use speed to score goals Faul - not talented enought to crack the lineup, left the program Jones - great mobility, good technique, rarely makes mistakes Fuher - Good mobility, good technique, rarely makes mistakes, good shot Schneider - Good physical player, good mobility, rare mistakes, good shot Brandt - needs to be good consistently instead of in flashes Siembida - could not find his game at the d1 level, left program Forwards 3 of 7 forwards are consistent performers 2 of 7 forwards were below grade 2 of 7 have a chance to make the grade Grade C Defensemen 3 very good, solid performers. Core of a strong defense. Grade A Goal Tenders 1 below grade 1 average with chance to make the grade Grade D

Looks like you might have an extra over in MN too, from what I've been reading?

I agree with The Sicatoka on the lower lines scoring. There was not much threat of that after the top 1.5 lines IMO. And I agree with Handy regarding the defensemen carrying the puck out of the zone. A little more confidence and ability to get a rush started would really help in transition, and hopefully spring a forward or 2 loose. Instead of chasing the puck in the neutral zone they can work to an open spot and receive a pass. As I said earlier, the team made great strides in this area over the previous year. Let's hope that progression holds. If so I don't think we'll be talking about this much.

What's interesting about those numbers are they are WCHA numbers, and don't take into account the "cupcakes" early on. Those are pretty good numbers, and I daresay this team should have every expectation of reducing the GA signficantly this year. Hale missed a fair number of WCHA games last year, so his loss isn't as signficant to these numbers as they might be. The rest of the D corp except Smaby are all a year older and more experienced. And our goalie situation can't be much worse, so should be equal or better than it was. The GA SHOULD experience a reasonable to significant decrease over last year.

I think it is important to make a distinction when discussing whose defensemen are better. The comment is often made in referring to the MN defensemen that they are "more skilled". Are they? I believe if you talk about offensive skill, then I agree. If you are talking defensive skills, i.e. knowing how to position yourself not to get beat, have the physical tools and smarts to keep an opponent from setting up in front, or getting around you, keep the puck in the offensive zone, etc, then I may not agree. I think overall the Sioux defensemen are better with defensive skills.

I won't dispute that it can be done with an all-defensive D corp, but the last 3 titles had these guys on the blueline: 1987 Kidd, Parent 1997 Murphy 2000 Roche They were significant factors on their teams. I'm not familiar with the teams from the early 80's. My impression is they were stacked with offensive talent.