dagies

Thanks, jk. It could be tough but I might try to make that one. Might have to wear my jersey if I do....

So far I like this new one. Thanks for the work!

Goon, you and I are riding the same wagon here. I guess I am the eternal optimist and I was really thinking the boys had a great shot to sweep AA and to take a game from CC. See what happened. So I don't know what to think, really. However, going into this weekend I again am expecting to sweep. I really think our team is capable of beating some teams and finishing better than 8th. I think this weekend we will show there IS a division between us and at least MT and UMD. Maybe I will get egg on my face again but dammit it is time this team asserts itself and someone starts to feel pain. They have a chance to finish with a pretty good record in this last month and a half of the season. Let's see if they can pull it off.

Good info, thanks Sicatoka!

Anyone have much info or any thoughts on Matt Greene.

What good does it do to say what if? But what if Roche and Whitey were still here? I say we would have 6 more points at least this season. Roche would have provided another stabilizing force on D, and would tremendously helped with the breakout from our zone and the transition game. With Whitey in the lineup, I suggest that David Lundbohm would never have had to sit out a game to get his head straight. Whitey wouldn't have let it happen. Couple that with another seasoned and effective offensive talent for Bayda to play with on the 1 line. Massen would have stayed in the USHL and that would not have hurt us or him. But, that is fun to speculate about but accomplishes nothing. My only real regret about the whole situation is that I would dearly have loved to watch Roche in person in the college game again another year. I really enjoyed watching him, especially last year. And I would like to have seen the comparison between him and Leopold. Both of whom are outstanding but I take Roche.

Kuhninca, you raise an interesting point about OLeary and Hasbargen. I don't know how to answer it either. But I think it went this way. Blais had plenty of bodies to get guys to compete for playing time. There's still what, 4 forwards sitting every game. 3-4? Anyway, Oleary and Hasbargen played with a ton of heart, and squeezed every once of ability onto the ice. You could say we are missing that this year. I agree with you there. But it is tough not do what Blais did as well. He brought in guys with more talent. He could have kept Hasbargen and OLeary, but they probably wouldn't have touched the ice, except in times of need due to injuries. And if that IS the case, could they have much impact? I don't know, but I would guess it would be limited. My guess, as you surmised, is he was willing to take this road, for the betterment of the future. We have some good leaders growing on this team, see Blais comments about the Hale brothers, his prophecy that Canady will be captain one day, etc. The future looks bright. Let's hope we can see some of that sparkle yet before this season ends. Things are not as dim as they were early on.

looks like an improvement so far for me. Will take me a few days to get familiar with it though.

Just turned on the game for the 3rd period. I see Brandt is playing. Hennessey says he has played really well tonite, and none of the 3 goals are his fault. Good for Jake. Could be we have 2 solid goaltenders to finish this year and head to the future with. Look out WCHA!!!

Guy in Boston, I agree. Just when the boys lok like they have turned the corner (MN series) they come back with the fri AA effort. But maybe MN isn't all they were cracked up to be either, the way things are going. Hoping to see another 3rd period comeback tonite and get some points at CC.

Kuhninca, I can understand that frustration. I went through it last fall. I think though, I have adjusted my expectations to where I am not expecting as much THIS YEAR, and anything will be gravy. Then it is easier for me to celebrate the positive steps and the others don't hurt so much. I could go back and look at about 4 more points in the standing that we should really have and create the heartburn again but it doesn't do any good. So I try to deal with where we are. And I do feel, rocky road and all, that we are on an uptrend from where we were in November and early December. Just that we are climbing out slower than we fell in. But I think that is normal. I am happy to hear how Bochenski played last night. I believe Bayda is really emerging as the emotional leader of this team. And guys like Spie and Notermann and Hale will continue to set the tone. The freshmen will catch up. Let's hope it is as tourney time. As for playing the gophers in the playoffs. Not a good scenario, but right now they ARE beatable. But we will ahve to be more consistent. Right now they are beginning to question their coaches ability to motivate.

Only got to read the score updates on the other board. Didn't listen or watch the game. Sounds like the Sioux had some lapses, but otherwise played a pretty decent game. I like the heart to come back in the 3rd period. I am glad I am not Massen tonite. An opinion based on the little I know about this game: The Sioux made a stride tonite. Played a good solid game, most of the time. Still need to tighten it up for 60. But they fought back in the 3rd the way other teams have done to us. Way to go. If Notermann can just find the net instead of the pipe that will be 2 more points for us at some point this season! I hope the captains step in to straighten out Massen before Blais needs to. Bochenski appears to have rebounded from his "lesson" last week. We can't keep sitting guys to get them to play better. Here's hoping for another strong outing tomorrow night. (Or did I misinterpret this game?) Oh, yes, did anyone hear Blais comments after the game??

That would suck. I wouldn't have given him that much of a chance previously but I really think his game has picked up. He is now a force on the ice and developing into one of our better forwards, in my opinion. He's got decent speed, good hands, and I have really been impressed with his ability to take the puck away from the other team on the boards. He's a bright spot.

I agree with you on playing the AA's, MTU, Duluths, etc. However, here's my take on Siembida. Don't get me wrong. I'm not "down" on him. But that goal scored on the 3rd shot? He should have covered the first rebound. It was a soft shot that just bounced out in front of him. Right away I wondered why he didn't gobble that one up. You are right though, the goal never should have been scored because the D didn't get back to help him out by the 3rd shot. For the weekend I also would say he played good. I thought he played great on Friday, though he went down fast on the wrap around. Sat he was average. Still a good performance, and not one that I am critical of. But I think it is fair to say that some of his puck luck had been used up by Sat.

Thanks jk, I found this article on your referral of the gazette: http://www.gazette.com/stories/0118spts1-2.php?section=4 I have really liked Ryan Hale's play this season. I didn't think he had much the first year, and the first couple game of last year when I saw him, but this year I have been very impressed with his ability to steal and control the puck in the offensive zone. Blais gives them very high praise in this article.

Goon, we're going to have the same arguments that the goofer fans are about Hauser. Was it goaltending? Or was it a weak team effort. Say what you want about Andy, but our team has stunk up just as many games and there are more of them than just one goalie. Any one guy can have a bad night but when almost the whole team does for several games that seems almost more aggregious. Cripes, Blais had to sit Bochenski and little Lundbohm. Do you think he would EVER have had to sit Whitey? David should be ASHAMED. Siembida's last game showed he was human. I like him and consider he is probably our top goalie, but he is not infallible. And it is a small yet distinct possibility that he had a hot run of games before reality will set in and he isn't the stone wall we hope he is. Therefore, though I would like to see Siembida play both games and play them well, I won't be critical if Blais plays Brandt on Sat. Let's remember that Brandt played a nice 3 game streak before essentially riding the bench behind the new guy. He hasn't had a chance to go average like Siembida did on Sat night. Frankly, I won't be critical if he plays Andy. Why? Because by this time Blais has seen these guys in practice for a few weeks and is getting a firmer handle on who is really who. I can't say that I would feel we have the same chance to win if Siembida isn't out there, but he's fallible and if Blais thinks one of the other guys can get the win, I'll hold my tongue and see how it turns out. Before any of these goalies win another game the team is going to have to step it up and start playing like they did in the first half of the 2nd period on Sat. night.

Sorry, Sprig, I missed this when I posted on the other thread.

YaneA, Do NOT give away the hat because of your age. If you don't wish to keep it, that's one thing. Worry not what others will think. If you feel it, wear it! Also, sportsmanship should only be taken so far. I like to cut out the vulgarities. And I probably won't yell that anyone sucks around my 7 years old, but I don't have a problem with that hat. Wear it in good health!

I don't know where fans gather but Champps in Richfield (66th and Lyndale) was kind enough to put the GLI Championship game on for me when I told them it was on Fox Sports Detroit or whatever that was. Whether they can access this game I don't know.

Soon we'll know: http://web.northscape.com/content....nge.htm

HKNTSMN Do you have any inside insight that you can or are willing to share?

From what I am reading I agree that it is a shame what might happen to him. I'll wait for ALL the details to come out.

Thanks, ScottM. I might have to look at that.

Ok, I'll start paying attention now. (insert emoticon for embarrassment here)

Had I realized that game was Sunday afternoon I just might have delayed my departure to the cities so that my buddy and i could have taken in that game. However, I'm glad we didn't, as the roads got nasty down here late afternoon. If anyone saw that game and would care to pass on their impressions of Parise and Murray, much appreciated.