dagies

I agree with your last paragraph. Also, for me the internet has really helped me to stay in tune, and boards like these (THANKS JIM!). I feel like I am kind of right in the thick of things. Back in the early 90's Gino's teams just weren't inspiring and without these types of forums, it was easy to forget about the team. I predicted fans would fall off this year due to last year's performance but have heard that the waiting list is still healthy. I guess we'll see come october.

I have had the same thoughts. And frankly, being from Mpls I would like a bit better availability of tickets so I could get up there without dealing with purchasing from someone else on the internet. Risky and a big hassle. I think we've got a few years. From what I hear there is quite a waiting list for tickets. I would guess that if we had 2-3 seasons like this last one that waiting list would pare down rather quickly. However, if the team comes back to prominence next year it could be some time. If I remember, even after the team started getting good in the mid 90's there was trouble filling the old REA. So it does make you wonder. Of course, I think in Gino's later years the team effort was not really inspiring to the fan base, at least from what I saw of them. So maybe that was a contributor. I dread the day there are consistently only 4000 fans in the new building, though. Hopefully that will never happen.

Unfortunately for me tickets at Mariucci are getting to expensive to buy from scalpers. Might miss a series for the first time in several years down here. Darn. Maybe rush tickets. Next year will be another fun one.

You may be right. 3rd is a pretty safe, attainable pick. 2nd is optimistic, but 1st seems to be a bit of a stretch. I would say the odds are better picking 3 or so, but that doesn't mean one couldn't expect them to do better. And yes, I think it is possible.

Goon, you make an very interesting point. When Blais looks at beating MN, which is probably the team over the next 2-4 years that needs to be beaten, how are you going to do it? Outscore them? (Well, obviously, yes). Or play better defense than they do? Rather than get into a run and gun scenario with a team that I feel is made up of a bunch of thoroughbreds, maybe you line up some big draft horses on the blue line to make those finesse players think twice about coming into the zone. So instead of trying to find more and better offensive defensemen to try and outscore them, you get really solid defensive defensemen, guys that are really physical and will hit. Maybe when the enemy comes into your zone they are not quite as sharp as they normally would be then... Just a supposition.

I was thinking about it just for fun, but went the other way instead!! I just shake my head, now.......

My gut tells me that SCSU takes a drop next year. that is why I have UND finishing at 3rd. I can't really see higher than that but you never know, I guess. Also, they could easily finish lower if some of the guys just don't step up the way they need to. However, I will be crushed if they don't make the Final Five again next year. Really if they don't finish in the top 5 I think it is a huge screw up. UND will be hard pressed to split in MN next year. Even if Taffe leaves I think MN is going to be an awesome team. UND has always had difficulty winning in Mpls when the Gophers are equal or better. This year we managed to steal one but I am not counting on that next year. That is why it is too bad that the Gophers aren't coming to town... I won't say any more because according to one gopher fan on the gopher site we are too obsessed with the gophers and should worry about our own team.

Top 4 scorers next year: Lundbohm Bochenski Fournier Parise alternate = R. Hale Most Improved Forward: R. Hale Alternate = McMahon Fylling could win this but wasn't with team last year Top Scoring Dman: Schneider Alternate = Fuher Best All-Around Dman: Jones Alternate = Schneider Most Improved Dman: Leinweber - logs a regular shift at Marvin's expense Alternate = Fuher Goalie Order: 1.

I voted 3rd after Denver and MN. That might be expecting a bit much but frankly I'm expecting a few boys to step up and perform as they were expected to at the end of this year... I think there will be 5 strong teams at the top of the WCHA again next year.

No problem at all here. Smitty might be blocking your IP address though

Greyeagle, you and I are in exact agreement. Consistency and honesty.

I would like to say that for me personally, it comes down to a question of what is right or wrong, regardless of whether you win or lose with your method. If Blais is telling recruits that they have a ride and can take a spot on the roster for 4 years unless they break rules or flunk out, then it is wrong to cut them.

I think in a couple of years the Sioux should limit themselves to in-state recruiting. Then we can sing "O Canada" at Gopher games.

I haven't ever heard of the Sioux landing someone from that team before. I suppose it can't hurt to have Brady's influence in the area for a year...In an ideal world maybe that is a benefit somewhere down the road.

The question should be if Goon is right, how did he get elected? Or is this a job no one wants?

Seems like Sandelin was the guy tied in with the BCHL.

No kidding! That is interesting info. How accurate?? That can't hurt his hockey development. And Shattuck probably didn't have the horses to give Murray much to play with next year with Parise, Hirsch and Porter all done. My first thought is he would go USHL but he has relatives up in Canada if I am not mistaken, so maybe this is a more comfortable arrangement for him? Can anyone else conjecture on why BCHL over USHL?

I had not been in GF from when I graduatedin 1987 until Feb 2001. WOW, how things have changed in the areas pointed out by Sicatoka.

It seems as though there is agreement that, regardless of who the fans are cheering for, they can really bouy the play of either team.

Yes, but next year he's going to season in USHL

HKNTSMN, I have been watching R Hale this past year and he reminds me of Bayda, as far as he seems very strong on the puck and in the corners. I haven't really been able to evaluate his shot (what the heck do I know about that?). But I was thinking if he played with a guy like Fournier or Parise he might put up some surprising numbers this next year?

Curious from people who have played organized sports how much factor the crowd really plays. Yes, I can understand that having a bunch of people screaming at a certain part of a game can give a boost. But I am looking even more big picture... I was at all three games at the Frozen Four. To me, each game got better as the stakes increased. UNH/Maine game was kind of boring. There were a lot of people there but only about 2000 people cheering for either team, so there wasn't a lot of "atmosphere" in my opinion. The game didn't strike me as having great flow to it. It was almost like there was a game happening in spite of the crowd, vs a crowd there to watch a game. On Thurs night with the strong MN crowd, there was definitely more crowd involvement. The game struck me as a better played game, more exciting, more flow, etc. Of course on Sat night things were rocking, there was electricity in the air, etc. It was palpable. The game was awesome. My question is, was the UNH/Maine game boring because the teams didn't play very well, or because they knew each other so well they could counter each other (disrupt the flow) or did the players just not have that intangible because the crowd was almost disinterested in the game??? The Maine I saw on Thurs afternoon is the Maine I thought would get blown out 6-2 by the Gophers. Yet I was pretty impressed with Maine on Sat night. Not as talented offensively, but pretty strong defensively, and enough offensive ability to make it interesting. Can the crowd really have THIS much of an affect on both teams? Or am I full of __.

10-4, CAUNDFan.

It started with a "F--- OFF SIOUX!"

I didn't want hockey least to win. I have a natural inclination NOT to cheer for the Gophers. So I was already struggling on what to do. Then getting some verbal abuse from Gopher fans on the way into the arena sealed the deal. I was anti-gopher. But then at the end of regulation that game was so good I just wanted it to keep on going and going and not end.