burd

Then Rocco would be able to see over them.

Wise words. Tell Mafia he owes you a cold one.

Brandon Bochenski was a sniper, but mostly he just put pucks on net. True scorers have a kind of confidence that the puck will go in and don't try to water bottle every shot. There are many nice players on this Sioux team but not an elite goal scorer among them, and that is important this time of year. Fortunately, the door is not closed yet.

I hope the ice is out on the Red, because there will be jumpers tonight.

That's why tough-guy hockey at this time of year is usually dumb-guy hockey. Not talking about good hard hits

Radio guys made it sound like Zane made some big saves before the goal

Sioux had the momentum then the stupid penalty

Sounds like a dumb penalty--didn't see it though.

If you have to listen to radio broadcast, be thankful you're listening to TH. It's actually a good way to enjoy the game.

If he sticks his finger in his mouth, you were right.

He dishes the puck with ungodly quickness sometimes, and his linemates are often not ready for it. We're hugely lucky to have the kid.

NUT CUTTIN' TIME!!

It was a great place--true Sioux experience. Frenchy's, the Peanut Bar at the Ho . . . good times.

I think you have to be careful how you evaluate teams when it comes to the one-and-done time of year, though. Wisconsin is not UMinn, but they do have some real high-end talent and are capable of running the table without getting a lot of luck to do it. It's a little like the decision Herb Brooks made to go with Jim Craig in goal. I don't think he was the winningest goalie in the country, but he had, Brooks felt, the highest upside. Wisconsin has a high upside, IMO. I know many disagree, but Miami's upside isn't too shabby either, now that they have their forwards healthy. But our boys will get by both of them--Miami first.

What media access are you guys using to watch this game?

They won 5 of 14 road games, which is not exceptional, certainly. But they handed the gophers two of their 5 losses and have a lot of talent, including arguably the most talented player in the country in Kerdiles, along with Zengerle, who is another elite level player. UW has not put together a long run of victories but that they have all the elements of a team that can go all the way. In fact, I'd say the main difference between UW and UND is our lack of elite level forwards who can change a game. But hey, UND is more than capable of putting together a run--they just have to get there.

What's the deal with Frattin? He had a fantastic opportunity with LA, now I don't see him in the lineup with Columbus. Injuries?

Whether or not Mariucci has been a troll in the past, he makes some fair statements here. The NCHC has disappointed nearly all of us, and the OC record has been embarrassing. Miami has been very disappointing, and who would think neither Colorado team would make any noise? I don't think Michigan is as good a hockey team as SCSU, but I do think Wisconsin and UMinn are better at this point. But one thing has not changed--you never know how things will go from here on out. Still possible to add number 8.

But everyone knows the drunken pukers are SCSU fans, so that concern is not a factor this year.

That's not an unfair assessment, but hopefully it won't turn out that way. Both teams are fighting for their tournament lives, so it will be interesting.

second this. Those guys played their hearts out.

Sioux need one to take the starch out of them.

Now please keep the foot on the gas--don't go slowdown.

York doesn't know how to get his boys up for the big ones.

I've commented on that before, and though it might be a tried and true strategy, it's frustrating. It allows opponents to be all over our wingers on the boards and closes passing lanes for our d, since the first pass is so predictable. That's why our d pass back and forth so much before bringing it up ice. It also gives all their players time to get back on D after a change in possession, so when our forwards to get the puck they have less time and space. I think that's why so many fans think our boys are not working hard--because they don't seem to play with speed on offense and end up having to react too much on defense. They are playing hard, imo, but they are playing within the scheme. When they were forced to open it up the last two nights, they did, and last night they dominated but couldn't bury the puck. These boys care a lot and are working hard, I believe. It's just too tempting for fans who are aware of the number of draft picks on this team to assume that they will win if they hustle, and that is not always the case. Hak done a fine job and has won a lot of hockey games--as many as any coach the last 10 years, I'd guess. But it's a different game come one-and-done time, and we will see if he can turn that corner.