dagies

Geez, i wonder when he said that? It wasn't until about 8 minutes were left when I began to allow myself to think we might get a point or 2 from this game. Even after that goal I thought we would score again, but I didn't think the gophers were done either. They had been too close all night.

I was very happy with the play of Canady and Ryan Hale this weekend. I thought both really look improved, and had an impact. I missed seeing Fournier. I will be up for my first series at the new REA. I hope he plays. Who else do Sioux fans think are making big improvements or contributions?

Go4Fan, I agree pretty much with what you say. Don't you think we are going to have some great games with great goaltenders the next few years?! Very excited as I think Canady had a great series, and also Ryan Hale. Both played very well, and seem improved. The gophers are a very good team. And I think the Sioux are coming on. They still need help in their own zone, and with their transition game but they are getting better. I think that will continue. Hey, anybody out there get to hear Blais comments after these games. Please post recaps if you will.

I thought both teams played better last night. But the gophers were a step ahead of the Sioux. Sioux need to be better in their own end. Still not sure what to do with the puck, and how to play it with authority to get it out of the zone. Also seemed to me that the gophers had the better of getting to loose pucks in our zone. In the end, I think the scary scoring chances that did not end up in goals were pretty even for both teams. This game could have gone either way. My biggest regret is the Sioux actually got to the point in the game where I began to believe it might be possible to steal this win. In fact, I was getting to be sure we would score again. Even after MN tied it. But it did not work out that way because we had difficulty clearing our own zone AGAIN in the last several minutes. Not impressed with the Sioux 4 on 4 play. OW. But, though I have not been impressed with the what I consider to be a passive PK style by the Sioux, I think the gophers only collected 1 PP goal all weekend. How about that?! Bright spots this weekend for the Sioux: Goaltending. Gotta like the job Siembida did. Canady. Looked great this weekend. Much more of a force than what I have seen from him. Penalty Kill. Not sure how but was effective this weekend Team got better on Sat. night. My guess is confidence is rising. As for the officiating. I did not leave the game thinking we got screwed by the refs. We could have played a bit better and won this game. But my impression is the goofs definitely had the better of the calls last night. Kuhninca, I think the seniors did a good job last night for the most part. Spiewak just couldn't convert on his 2 chances and that hurt. but I think the team played better than they did on Sat night when we won. I think the leadership was there last night. The team lost but I think they played better. I think this team is getting better. Has a ways to go yet, but they are learning and getting better. I think this team will be the team that no one wants to play in the playoffs.

Well, I love the teeth grinding by goofer fans, and no mistake. But I gotta say, I really didn't think the Sioux looked that good last night for most of the game. They made the best of the few opportunities. People who know the game better than I might disagree, but I thought it was pretty ugly hockey game all around.

I'm enjoying this win so much more because of those goofer fans who are all up in arms about Blais bringing in Siembida half-way through the year. And those who were a bit cocky. Most of their fans were no different from us, but it is fun to watch them grind their teeth after tonite's game. Sioux have a ways to go before we are a top team, though, in my opinion. Here's to strong effort all 3 periods tomorrow night.

Well, when you win the first game, a sweep is always a possibility. But, man, I think that is way too much to hope for. I think the goofs will be hopping mad that they let this one get away, and in my opinion, that's exactly what they did. Bright spots for the Sioux: Siembida in goal. Did a great job and I don't think he gave up a weak goal. And made many tough stops. Massen getting his second goal. That guy outskated Paul Marten, and really got air on the backhand to pot that puck. That goal was a beauty! Can you say 3RD PERIOD COMEBACK? YEAH, BABY!!!! But I think the Sioux looked pretty ugly tonite. Their offense was opportunistic and took advantage of our few opportunities. I thought the team had very little flow for most of the game tonite, and really struggled with handling the puck and making good decisions on the defensive zone. Very little 5 on 5 sustained pressure on the forecheck as well. So things really have to pick up before tomorrow's game. During the game on tv (I watched the tape when I got home) they said Blais was pissed at his "leaders" in the first period, saying they had let him down, or something like that, and he was going to have to wake them up. Lets hope they did. I was not impressed with Schneekloth handling the puck tonite. Power play question. The gopher PK is very aggressive. Always seem to have a man attacking the puck. The Sioux set up the box and give the other team room to pass around the perimeter. Very different styles. I personally like the more aggressive approach. Is this a weakness in our PK, or a philosophy difference in how to run a PK?

"Blais now thinks his young players are figuring out how to play as a team. "We took our lumps early with 10 freshmen. They had to learn how to play without the puck," Blais said. "When they came here, you could see it in the first month

Brian Gionta and Panzer didn't leave early.

I think the quality of hockey is going to be scary in the WCHA the next few years. Speaking of scary, that's what the Gophers are. And you have to like the talent that Blais is gathering as well. I agree with St. Cloud. I think they are going to continue to be a great team for a while. CC and Denver are coming on as well. Is it just because I am paying attention this past year or is the quality of the recruits coming into the WCHA a step up from what there has been in the past?

In 1984 the team wasn't all that good, so Archie's stuff helped keep us entertained. It was the first year I ever watched hockey other than the few North Stars games we got in South Dakota, so I knew little about the game. Wish I had been a bit more knowledgeable. I remember seeing Tony Hrkac on the ice that year, but not especially noticing him. Paid more attention to Archibald, Williams, Sandelin, etc. But I remember in 1986 when Hrkac came back how excited a buddy of mine was who had seen him with me in 1984. He knew what we were in for. I had no clue. But I learned quickly. After going to all the games for a couple years it was a little easier for me to start catching on to who the real good players were. Then I noticed him.

From all I read and hear, I wish I would have seen Sioux hockey in those days. I came in 1984-1987. Not bad, but not quite the same. At least I got one year with Jim Archibald!

Here is a link to GF Herald article that says Murray HAS verbally committed to UND for 2003. Yea, Baby! http://web.northscape.com/content/gfherald...ts/VFMURRAY.htm

Don't quote me because we know how often I am wrong but I believe I read someone else who posted that he is about 5-9 165. In fact, I think it is rumored that Blais is checking to see if Goehring's goalie equipment will fit him

That's really quite astounding if you think about it. I'm sure it is helped by the fact that 4 and basically 5 of the teams are in the state. But who is splitting hairs, teams would get good players wherever they are from. to have 119 from one state is outstanding for MN.

Go4, we agree.

Boy this is going to sound like I am crumbing on Andy and I don't mean that. But I hope he isn't playing against AA. I'm coming up for that series and I want to see Brandt and Siembeda. Reason is because they are both freshmen and I haven't seen them in person before.

Goon, I don't disagree when considering who is playing "as well" as the other guy. But if Kollar is outplaying the others I have no problem with Blais deciding to put him in a game. I personally would sweat because I haven't seen him practice myself, but if that's waht Blais decides is best, I'm not going to get upset about it. But I am sure of this. If Andy plays himself into a game and then gives up a couple softies, he's done for the year.

Doc, thanks for the great report. There is much very encouraging news in there. Goon, take it easy on Andy. You weren't this down on him the last 3 years, were you? If the guy works himself back into "shape" we'll be better off, don't you think? I also am curious as to the rules regarding the announcement of Murray's verbal. I do believe until signed on the line that the coach can't comment. But not sure of that. And if so, who actually did mention this?

Doc, I thought you left the world! Another good one. A guy on roller blades blows by a guy on a bike. Not bad.

Go4Fan, you suggested Hauser is playing better because he is getting pushed by better back-ups. I always suspected that he was under enormous pressure all alone in goal the last 3 years and that was too big a load to bear by himself. I suppose either of us could be right.

Here is a quote from the Mpls Star Tribune this morning that I thought was very interesting: Zach attack North Dakota, which plays at Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday, made some noise last weekend by beating Michigan and Michigan State -- the CCHA's top two teams -- in overtime and winning the Great Lakes Invitational. But North Dakota recruit Zach Parise of Shattuck-St. Mary's in Faribault might have had the best week of all. Parise had 29 points in seven games at the Mac's midget tournament in Calgary. Shattuck won the tournament for an unprecedented third consecutive year and Parise was the first player to be named tournament MVP two years in a row. Mac's attracts 25 top teams from all over the world, and close to 200 NHL players -- including Mike Modano, Scott Gomez, Petr Nedved and Dany Heatley -- participated in the tournament as teenagers. Parise's performance last week drew raves. Calgary Sun reporter Eric Francis wrote that Parise "is simply the best" to have ever played in the tournament. Mac's organizer and longtime hockey scout Carl Archibald said, "He's got great anticipation and he's not one-dimensional like Nedved or Gomez. He sees the ice better and utilizes everyone on the ice much better than they did. He's incredible at both ends of the rink." Shattuck, the top-ranked midget team in the country, is 31-3-4. (Edited by dagies at 8:40 am on Jan. 3, 2002)

PHE that's great stuff. I'm glad I had a chance to watch Panzer, Roche and Goehring a few times a year in person.

Did anyone else kind of look at Jeff as the Sioux's version of Kirby Puckett? I mean the kind of guy who just loved to play the game, and always had a smile on his face? I just watched the end of the BC loss last year and I noticed a couple things. First, in a mad scramble at the net with the Sioux down a goal, there was a stoppage of play because, well, every member of every team was prone on the ice looking for the puck. Panzer was down next to Clemmenson who had his hat knocked off. Panzer gets up, and rubs Clemmenson's head, sort of giving him his props. Then in the OT period, everybody else is all stressed out and very serious looking. And Jeff is smiling all the time. Seemed like the whole period. I also remember seeing him in the Final Five Championship game. I think the Sioux were down 1 goal and came out for the face-off. Panzer got over on the right wing and he was the first guy in position. He just shuffled his skates real quickly back and forth. His whole body language said he couldn't wait to take off, and instead of being all tight and stressed, he was loose and anxious to get rolling. I suppose it didn't hurt that he was a GF boy, either. Kind of added to his mystique. I miss him on the team.

Oh, I hope the players are going to Mariucci with that kind of attitude. You know Notermann and some of the others are. Hopefully the freshman understand this is MORE than a league game. I don't give the Sioux a much of a chance this weekend but if they are learning to play more aggressively, and carry this sort of attitude, they might be able to take advantage of the goofs one night.