dagies

Blais comments after the game were critical of the mental prep of the whole team, the play of the defense and the goaltenders. Blais said guys were out watching the jumbotron at 6:10. Said you can't do that and expect to be mentally ready to play a game at 7pm. No defenseman played well "all week". Said they were just terrible making the first transition pass. 5 goals on 20 shots "not good hockey". Also critical that there was little offense created by anyone other than the #1 line. Did give props to R Hale and Connelly who created some chances but didn't convert. I would think it won't be a fun week in practice.

Well, I don't think losing this game tonite was a good idea. Tech has shown the ability to win a few games against good teams this year. We needed the points and its going to hurt losing these points in the long run. These are the points that could determine a 2nd or 3rd place finish. I don't think we could afford to let these slip away. Certainly there is no more room for error this season. Josh lets up 4 goals in 16 shots again. I was hoping he would be able to build on last night.

I have a question. Could the possibility of an NHL strike in 2004 have any impact on players leaving early or staying later? I.e. would Parise leave after this season so he could get a year in the pros before the strike? Or if not is there a better chance he is here for at least 3 years. I.e. if there is an NHL strike in 2004 maybe he plays here that year......... Obviously this affects more players in college than just Parise. Just using him as an example.

I really like seeing Connelly up on the 2nd line with Lundbohm and Massen. I think he's been playing really well since Christmas. He's played hard and been effective as a forechecker, and cycling the puck. Can anyone comment on his play last night?

Agreed. I wouldn't be so impressed if it was just last night, but limiting CC to one PP goal all weekend seems like an accomplishment. Let's hope they can keep it up.

Based on his comment in Pat's USCHO recap, it sounds like he thinks he's playing tonite as well. I think he said simplifying his game worked tonite (on the advice of his goalie coach) and that he hopes it would work tomorrow night too.

Sounds like Josh played a good game. Good for him. It's got to be a load off his mind to have a good game and feel good about his play. How many saves did he have? Way to go, Josh!!

I would think Hale won't play this weekend. However, it wouldn't surprise me, since they are playing at home and he can be inserted into the lineup if he got a few shifts on Saturday, if he's feeling well. It might be good for him to get a little game action, so he isn't out of a game for a full 3 weeks between games.

Actually, I kind of like it. More like Sioux colors. Thanks again for all of your work for OUR enjoyment. Really helps add to the fan experience.

Having a former goalie working with Siembida or anyone else sounds like a good idea. Can't hurt, anyway.

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/s...rts/5116741.htm Hale coming back to GF. Appears to be getting better. Good luck David!!

HEY! I'm 15th on picks. I MADE THE TOURNEY!

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/s...rts/5107465.htm To me this is encouraging news. Keep progressing, David!

Would he be from Kwitchener Ontario?

Amen, brothers.... Amen

It is amazing to think that this team could lose another 2 games and still end the regular season with a 5 loss record. I haven't looked at the archives but isn't that just about the best ever for the program? That said it is crucial to take all the points this weekend against Tech. MN will be breathing down our necks for the #2 spot. They are right behind and if we play well, we will take care of that #2 spot for ourselves. If MN has an amazing finish they could take it. We need to take all our available points. I think we can give up 5 points over the rest of the schedule and be ok, but you never know.

I agree, jk. My gut feels like this is out of the ordinary. I hope for David's sake all comes out ok quickly.

We have to remember what our expectations were for this team coming into the season. I had them predicted for 3rd in the conference and was one of the more optimistic at that spot, though there were some who predicted an even higher finish. What I am saying is, it has been easy to get excited with our awesome W-L record and begin to see FF lights. The games are played on the ice and its a long season. We have been fortunate not to suffer many significant injuries. The team is still relatively young and playing well. We have had our first REAL set-back of the year, if you can call it that. So let's see how we rebound from it. The team is having a very good season and it will be fun to watch it play out. And maybe this will shut up the early talk of National Championships. Let's let it play out.

Was it David Hale who was recently quoted as saying the ice on the Olympic rink is much better than in the main arena rink? If so, I found that interesting. Hadn't we heard the ice in the main rink had been "fixed" this year? Is that rink doomed to poor ice eternally? Man, that would suck with the kind of skilled teams the Sioux usually put on the ice...

A little later Tim said Liebel was jawing all the way through the hand shaking line, then stood out and taunted the Sioux. Most guys wouldn't shake his hand. Too bad to get swept, for sure. Sure makes you dig a hole but it's not the end of the season. The positives I take from it are the PK, and the hope the team finds a way to grow from this adversity, that makes them stronger down the stretch. Oh, yeah. Let's hope D Hale can come back soon...

I agree, Tommiejo, you can't win 'em all. I would have liked to win a few more pucks in the 2nd and 3rd period, though. That's what really stunk to me. It reminded me of the Sioux teams in the early 90's low points who couldn't win a race to the puck to save their lives. It didn't bother me that we got up by 3 because I felt this team had the character and desire to keep CC from coming back. Not that I felt the game was over because it was CC and they had 2 periods left to play. LOTS OF TIME. But I thought we gave ourselves the easier row to hoe. But CC really took it to us the rest of the game, and it really seemed to me that we were watching last year's team on the ice. That part sucked. I didn't expect to sweep. I just didn't expect to get handled that poorly. Hopefully this is one of those games you can learn from and it makes you stronger. I heard Hale is out. Someone on another board said there are more guys ill on defense. True or false? Also, I would be interested in the postgame comments from Blais and crew. Thanks

This game was hard to watch. I would like to say thanks to Mike (you know who you are) for letting me join your table for a beautiful front row seat at Senser's. First period the Sioux were dominating. Really had CC on their heals, I thought. But the 2nd and 3rd they got waxed. It seemed like every open puck was won by CC. The Sioux could get NO sustained offensive pressure, IF they could even get through the neutral zone. Looked like Brandt could have stopped a couple of those shots and stole the win, but frankly if he would have had ANY help from his offense the last 2 periods that may not have been a factor. Hopefully the boys can figure out what they forgot the last 2 periods and bring it tomorrow night. Frankly I am surprised we only gave up 31 shots. Seemed like a lot more to me.

To quote Gandalf on Connelly: "My heart tells me he yet has a part to play, for good or ill" I go with "good". He hasn't shown on the stats chart yet but I believe in time his impact will be significant.

usually jk beats me to the punch.