burd

Makes it seem all the more remarkable that Greg Johnson stayed for four, even though he left town a little over 20 years ago. He was a special talent when he was a freshman. Very good student too, maybe that made a difference.

When I was a freshman I remember Larry Drader, who played for the Sioux along with his younger brother Daryl (no, not the other brother Daryl) taking me over to the site while the old Ralph was under construction. We sat up high looking down on the area where the ice would be, and Larry talked about how he could visualize it all. I just saw a hole in the ground, but I was blind. He and Daryl were fine people. Jeff Sauer brought CC in for the first regular season game in the building, I believe, and most of us felt the new rink was nice but too quiet. The old barn was a raucous experience--cold and raw. I think Alan Hangsleben played out his second year at the Ralph and went pro, but the teams in those years were not as successful as they were later. The fans still were charged up about it, though. After a dozen or so years in warm weather, hockey deprived parts of the country (and no web to keep track of things), I returned for grad school in 1989 and my wife and I go to the first home game. First thing I hear at introductions is "Who's he, he sucks shat"!! The place was rocking from the start, a great change from the early days when it first opened. I often think back on that first look at the place with Larry and his comments how he could visualize it all before it was finished and those first experiences in 1989 when the place was jumping, the students down on the glass, Badgers and gophers going on the ice, and the intensity that was lacking when it was first built. I don't think he visualized that. So, when fans first started expressing regret at the nicer but quieter new Ralph, I put it in that personal context.

A booth at Judy's?

I'm sure Toews will bring the Cup to the Ralph someday, and I'm sure Nick Leddy will get some real playing time in a Cup final series someday.

I'm really looking forward to watching Grimaldi this year, but I don't think he was anywhere near ready to take the next step at the end of last year. It's a pretty good time to be a small guy in the NHL with the new rules, but they'd eat him up, IMO. He's got quickness, vision, and hands, but he's taken off the puck too easily at this point. One thing going for him, he's used up four years worth of posts and crossbars already.

He's a hell of a college hockey coach, much as he pisses us Sioux fans off. He should be behind the bench somewhere.

It would be very interesting to see what Gwoz would do with UAH. There are a lot of good hockey players out there who are not going to BC UMinn or UND.

Very cool. Only problem is the urge that comes over you when you're sitting out on your seats on a nice summer evening to shout: "Who's he, he sucks sh*t."

Bragging about a poolside tan? Double ouch.

Surprisingly, Kristo is one of the best boards players on the team, and his effort the last two years has been outstanding. He has a legitimate shot in the NHL. He has been far more than just a goal scorer at UND.

That bracket is as good as any. And Providence has been good to UND--three of last 5 Natties were won there.

I know the players have to play every game to win, but I frankly cared very little how the FFive came out this year. Except for goaltending, where you want the goalies to go into the NCAAs with confidence, I don't think winning one or two in Mpls would have made a bit of difference next week. Even seeding. If this team is going to win, they will have to make good on their chances, no matter who they play. I hope the boys get good and rested and hungry watching others get trophies and banners.

Pearson's no dummy, though, showing there's still something to fight for is what his players need to see being down 5.

Not me. If they lose tonight, I'm a gopher fan forever. Ordering my panties now.

Good post.

Good point.

Depends on where we are allowing the shots to come from.

Gotta admit though, he has a pretty quick jab.

Tech definitely lost it in the third after the Kristo goal, but I think it is unfair to say they were playing a dirty, clutching and grabbing game before that. They were getting a lot of shots on net and beating the Sioux to the puck much of the time. They played well until . . .

I agree. Especially on the part about the official needing to see the penalty instead of applying a presumption when there is possible injury.

That's not at all what you learned from that penalty. You learned that a violent hit will usually draw a penalty, even if it's clean. Johnstone got smoked by a good hit and he was hurt. Not many players would have gotten right up after that bomb.

I thought Tech played very well for two periods then just kind of fell apart with the kristo goal. they actually had the Sioux on the run much of the time in the second.

It's OK. I think we all want this to be the year.

1963 - 1980 = ?

Thoughtful post. I have a question that I'm not putting out there for a rhetorical purpose. Would you give up watching the DOT line their last year for bounce or two against Michigan a couple of years ago and a banner (assume we win the final)?