dagies

Just some guy we keep reading about over on POI.

HEY WAIT! You already took your toys home. You're not playing.

That is a very interesting article. Also very interesting in there are comments about other Lincoln draft picks. I know drafting a guy in the USHL doesn't mean that these guys will ever play there, but interesting names nonetheless. Alex Leavitt - he'd help the Lincoln offense rebound from losing Potulny, Irmen and Backes, wouldn't he? Sidney Crosby - gotta give Johnson props for taking his chances. What if: Crosby is thinking college. Would a year in the USHL be the next best step over playing the midget schedule? Trevor Ludwig - A name familiar to Sioux fans. Wonder where his twin brother is going?

Airmail, I won't be a boycotter because if I get tickets I'll be scratching for tickets whereever any non-student can find them. PCM, I need to clarify. I do sympathize with other fans whose view is blocked by the students. I really am 2 minds on that. 1 being that if the students want to stand up, they have every right to do so. On the other hand, I can just as easily understand the viewpoint of people who enjoy going to the game and don't like to stand up as much as me or others. My main point was to say that having the students stay where they are at and stand up as much as they want is obviously not going to happen. If the admin wants to put them in a corner and they can stand all they want, then so be it. Take the deal without restrictions, forget the crap, and come ready to enjoy Sioux hockey next year. BUT, I don't think the students should accept a reduction in seats on the lower level without a fight. It's too bad, in hindsight, that the students were originally given the seats they were. I think all intentions were in the right place. To bad they weren't originally given Sections 105 and 104. Maybe that would have taken care of things at that time. Seating chart http://www.ralphengelstadarena.com/arenamaps.html

I think it is better to be moved wherever and to be allowed to stand, sit, cheer or be quiet to your hearts content rather than keep the same seats but be dictated how whether you stand or sit. I agree that the arena needs raucus students to help the atmosphere. I can also agree that I like to stand a lot during games, and feel more like cheering when I do. Can't explain why. I also agree that, while upper level seats are still excellent viewing for games, I don't feel as "connected" to the action on the ice and have less motivation to cheer. Can't necessarily explain that either. So keep the students on the main level. Preferably by the opposing goal twice but accept wherever you are put with NO restrictions (other than normal fan behavioral) on how you act. Accept it, deal with it, and come ready to be crazy next year. Oh, I can understand fighting tooth and nail to make sure no seats are lost in the lower bowl. Seems only fair. Wouldn't hurt to get Dean Blais on your side. I think Dean has mentioned in the past his opinion on fan support and how that can help the team...

No I wasn't. Although my suspicion is that Prpich had a better year than expected (what do I know) I think Prpich is the exception to the rule. That is why I tried to use him as the example of the rare finds at this time of the year.

Good points on offense. I'm optimistic about our offense because of the good numbers they have put up. Enough to win. However, no doubt it was lacking at critical times down the stretch. Blais also made the same comments about "tough decisions" after the 2001-02 season and nothing drastic happened. But you did see a lot of guys stick around and work out and prepare better for the next season. I'm no talent guru, nor am I knowledgeable about what kind of hockey players are still out there waiting to commit to a college program. But I do have an impression. That impression says not to expect to see any "saviors" recruited at this point for next year. It would seem to me good quality players like Prpich are rarely picked up at this point in time unless they have proven to be risky (don't want to go to college/not good students/attitude problems). Therefore, I don't get too excited thinking that some perceived "dead weight" might fall off and get replaced with Prpich-type players. Maybe I am wrong with my impression, but there it is. I'd rather just see these guys work and improve.

I think MN is going to be awfully good next year. That said, my expectations are that the Sioux will compete strongly for #2 in the WCHA. Frozen Four type team. You have to give Brandt props for how he ended the year. That said, a season is long. Goal is still the main question mark as far as positions go. I think we'll be very solid to strong otherwise. The last question mark will be special teams. This could have a huge impact either way.

No one said Pohl isn't a great player.

Proving the old adage that it takes one to know one.

Just in watching these games I am a proponent of a large ice surface for the pro game. I think NHL sized rinks are just right for the college game, but the pro's need a bigger surface. I'd like to see Gaborik, Forsberg, et al with more room and time to do something with the puck. I'm curious about other points of view (I realize this isn't an original idea, I just never had an opinion based on watching so little pro hockey. Boy, aren't you all happy I did...)

Seemed like they struggled in this matter with Colorado as well, IMO. I haven't watched a lot of pro hockey. I've been amazed at how well these guys pass and catch, with little time and space to make decisions. However, over the last several games it seems that Colorado and Vancouver have had way to much success forechecking and cycling. Wild are consistently getting beat to loose pucks in their own zone, etc. The Wild are supposed to be quicker and faster. Why is this? Or am I just thinking they are having this difficulty because I WANT THE PUCK OUT OF THE ZONE. Oh, next season can Roche or Murphy replace Sekeras?

Jeff Panzer = Wes Walz

I like an occasional fight as much as the next guy, so was glued to the set at the end of the game. But don't want to see Tuesday become a slugfest. I like a good fast moving hockey game. That said, really good effort by the Wild last night. I think they will take the series. Has anyone been more key for the Wild in the playoffs than their goalies? WOW! Still, for a team that is supposed to be so good defensively, they sure are having some difficulty clearing the zone, especially in critical times late in the game. Looking forward to Tuesday's game.

Check the first names on that line

I agree jeffj. I was getting a bit tired about hearing about Parise myself. I wonder what it must have been like hearing about himself all the time, having people phone at all hours, the whole nine yards. With any luck, maybe some of that attention will calm down and spread out and the kid can just be himself next year. I also wondered how the rest of the team must have liked that fact Parise was getting ALL the attention there for a while. Seemed like it could have been easy to be resentful but from where I watched and read I didn't notice it.

Thought you'd be well familiar with this. I will say this. After the winning goal, they showed a shot of the huddle of Wild players on the ice. There is a fan standing right over the team and clapping. I thought it must have been a Wild fan until about the 3rd replay, then I see the guy has an Avs jacket on. Pretty cool, I thought.

I definitely thought the Avs owned the game last night but the Wild made the best of their chances and it was just enough. Fernandez for Hobey! Could the Wild be any worse at clearing the puck out of their zone than they were last night? They dodged many a bullet. And don't get me started on Sekeras. ooooooof. Murphy or Roche should have a place next year. I think the whole Avs team quit on Brunette's goal. Just swiping at the puck, no playing the body. No one worked through the Avs zone like that the whole game...

I've long feared the same thing

Thanks for clarifying. I'll try to remember that. More than one Devil. That's bad luck....