dagies

With my buddies I called him as the Player of the Game and he would have if it hadn't been for that little bug Notermann. Yes, James has become a weapon and is fun to watch.

But there are very many fans who think Jason is a hack going back to his hit on O'leary, and his attempt to mess with Westrum, etc.

No no. I like how you said "THIS" Gopher fan. Because I know MOST Gopher fans can't stand him.

I've been there once and I have heard it regularly attracts a large Sioux crowd for the games on TV. I watched an SCSU game there and it was filled with Sioux fans.

I love how you qualified that!

I think that was a well deserved honor given Jason. Congratulations!

I don't find him to be terribly dynamic but he does seem informative to this hockey-challenged viewer. I have felt he tries not to be a big homer, and that is what I like about Woog too. He's not afraid to say if the home team screws up, etc. I will watch my tapes a bit more closely now to see if I am glossing over your criticisms or not.

I would have suggested Greene too as it sounds like he is quite a character.

I don't believe DeMarchi will be a problem this weekend. Despite past history he seems to be trying hard to keep the nonsense to a minimum this year and I expect that will continue this weekend. But you never know. That said, it better not be a Sioux forward that goes with DeMarchi because most of them will get their arses kicked in excepting possibly R Hale. I don't think they are big enough though a couple have the spunk. Say what you want but DeMarchi is still a pretty big guy and our forwards mostly are not. And Massen doesn't strike me as the fighting type. It would likely be one of our D-men should it happen. I hope it doesn't. I would like to keep our guys on the ice.

I agree with jk on Connelly/Massen/Fylling. They were awesome on the forecheck and cycling down low. I didn't notice Connelly's shortcomings in the offensive zone but maybe I wasn't looking for them. Leinweber was the culprit on that goal up the middle. Ugh. We thought Andy Schneider had a real rough series too. Could NOT hang onto a puck to save his life. Just couldn't catch it or pass it. Massen is really strong. How about his one handed back hand shot attempt on Sat? Wow. Notermann's goal was awesome and he damn near scored on it Sat night too. In fact I thought it would go in with Bochenski in front to clean it up. I thought the teams played very evenly except for 2nd and 3rd periods on Sat night where I thought CC had the advantage most of the time. You could say the first period on Fri too but for the last half that period the Sioux carried the play I thought. Canady really played hard out there and I was surprised not to see him on the ice last half the game on Sat but I wondered if Dean put Palmo out there in an attempt to try and create offense for Genoway? One thing I noticed with Ranfranz were more pucks deflected by his stick over the glass and fewer rebounds out front. However, please tell him not to leave the crease. That guy will give you a heart attack when he comes out to play the puck around the net. Anyone notice he face planted in the middle of the zone Sat when he was racing out of the net so the Sioux could get the extra attacker on? That would have been funny had my heart been beating at the time. Did Spiewak get a purple heart for Sat? He really took 2 nasty pucks blocking shots on Sat. One to the knee or leg and one to the ribs. He really paid the price. I love that guy. After watching the AA debacle live last year I have to thank the team for giving my one of the most exciting series I have seen in a long time.

More comments later but I thought the reffing was fine, other than those offsides calls on Sat. We were right on the blue line. They were hard to take. What were the PP on Friday, something like 6-2 for the Sioux? Hard to complain about that. I expected an "equalizing" on Sat but I don't think that happened either. I agree that Bochenski getting hauled down in the 3rd sat and no call and then getting called on the other hand was a bad call. On Sat I did think that CC got away with a couple of boarderline calls only to have the Sioux called on retaliation right after. Say it is bad officiating but I think it was just what is expected in most hockey games. So overall I think the Sioux at least got an even shot for the weekend.

I thought it was a good call. From what I saw, Schmidt stared at Palmo waiting to see how he would react. Palmo could have easily dropped his stick and skated away but he stayed and tugged at it and the guy laying on it. That is when Schmidt raised his arm. IMO Schmidt gave him a chance to quit the play and Palmo didn't do it.

I got 4 guys coming that will take the place of some of the absent. Oh yeah

Earlier we had heard that the Notermann/Spiewak combo would be reunited for this series. I wonder if Blais wanted to keep Notermann on the line with Bochenski in an attempt to keep it good an offensive threat as possible?

Good for the UND boys. I think Shattuck was finally beaten in the MAC tournament, Stafford tied with Crosby for team lead in points at 10 for the tournament. I don't think they play any more games based on what I could find on the site.

jk that was pretty funny! I'm really pulling for Ryan Connelly. I love his hustle and I think he just needs a couple of breaks. I'm hoping CC needs to work off a little Christmas rust in the first period on Friday. Maybe that will give the boys the opportunity to adjust. I do think they are going to find CC to be a more intimidating test than the teams they have played recently, in that I agree. Canady has had a tough year. First his injury set him back, then he got sat a game (Mankato), then the spear against St. Cloud. I'm hoping Brian is able to shake off the first half and come out flying in the second half as the team will need his energy and physical play on the ice. He needs to play with confidence out there to be effective and my guess is he is playing a little tentative. Our captains are going to have a test on their hands, I believe. This team has had a great first half, no doubt. But in the next few weeks the schedule gets WAY tougher with more obstacles (road games). If the team has a tough couple of weekends against CC and MN, which is possible, they will need to keep the team's confidence high. It starts Friday night.

From an article on Hockey's Future about Bruins prospects, here is a tidbit on Goren:

Looking forward to a weekend in the Forks watching the Sioux. Can't wait!!!!! 1. Can the Sioux goaltending hold up? 2. Can the Sioux defense hold up? 3. Will CC have rust from break to loosen up? 4. Will CC be behind the Sioux in figuring out how to absorb the loss of their World Junior players? 5. Will the home crowd be loud (will there be a lot of students?) Without trying to discount the rest of CC's team, it seems to me (as posted by others previously) that the key matchup this series will be the Sejna line vs. Notermann/Speedwak.

He admitted himself this season on one of the radio interviews that he needs more patience with goaltenders.

All Drew Stafford is is 2nd in scoring in the tournament so far http://macstournament.ab.ca/Stats/2002%202...tics%20page.htm

In 3 games at the MAC tournament, Drew Stafford has 5 goals and 4 assists. Leads his team in point, I believe. He has been named Shattuck's player of the game 2 times, Crosby once. Go Drew! http://macstournament.ab.ca/

I can skate just about as good as Handy. Sounds fun!

I'm starting to think we may lose Bochenski before long too...

Here is a post from another board regarding the Shattuck team at the MAC tourney. Go Drew!: "Crosby had 3 assists tonite as the Shattuck St. Mary Sabres beat the Calgary Royals 7-5 in the feature game of the night at the Mac's. Shattuck forward Drew Stafford, who has signed to play with North Dakota next year, was named player of the game for the Sabres with 2g and 1a."

But remember we were noticing his improved play at the end of last season. For that reason I wouldn't put him on my "exceeded" list. Which isn't to say I don't congratulate him on having a good season. But it is what you would expect, I think.