burd

True statements. It has changed big time. No player will score as many points in a season as Hrkac did or as many points in a career as Johnson did. More kids are playing, and they are playing all year round, finishing high school away from home in order to become better players. It seems like that should make it more difficult to be in the hunt for the big prize on a consistent basis, but I'm not sure how that works, to be honest. I just know we are lucky to be able to watch such good hockey year in and year out.

When did you grow up watching Sioux hockey? It took them 10 years to win a banner after the Circus left town. Don't even get me started on the teams from the late 80s/early 90s. Some of those teams had more offensive firepower than UND has ever had, with G Johnson, Dixon Ward, Russ R and others, yet they couldn't make it into the tourney some years. The '97 team got lucky that BU took down the prohibitive favorite. The '98 and '99 teams were supposed to win it all, but the coaching must not have been good enough, or the teams did not want it bad enough, or the fans just didn't care enough, because they just choked it up, at least in your mind. As for UND's ancient "glorious past," how many banners did they win between the time Kennedy was elected and 1980? What a pathetic program. Do you go to the games because you love the game, or are you just looking for someone else to accomplish something that will give you some second-hand validation you are lacking in other areas of your life? You are mistaking childishness for pride.

I don't think anyone would say that. But. I can say that I value the Mac a great deal, not because it's cool hardware but because if the Sioux win it that means I would have enjoyed watching extremely good hockey week in and week out for an entire season in the best conference in the country. Banners are nice, especially natties, but in my old age I've gotten more selfish in wanting to watch good hockey on many weekends than I care about the bragging rights that come from succeeding over two weekends, which, for fans, is what natties are mostly about. Not to diminish the thrill when the Sioux win one--it's great. But for example, I would not trade the pleasure of watching the DOT line for a year for a nattie. Would have been nice to have both, for sure, and a lot of fans would think that's crazy. But it's the game and the way it's played at the college level that is so great, not the numbers 7 or 8 or 9. As long as it's more than 5, of course.

I thought the boys worked very hard last night and played well overall. The second Beaver goal was not a softie and it wasn't a fluke--just a good sensible decision on the blue line by their D and a good tip. We didn't finish some of the good chances we had and came up with a tie. Had they scored on the breakaway, we'd all be feeling a deeper shade of blue. I love Rocco. Dynamic player and generous with the puck now too. Great vision. Sometimes he dishes the puck so quickly others aren't quite ready. He's not ready to go up the ladder, though. Rubbed out on the boards too easily to be ready to deal with the big boys. Not that he isn't physical and intense--he just has to develop some techniques, I guess. Some of you more experienced hockey experts here will have a better assessment of that. He'll have to be a Kane-type player, relying on his quickness and vision. The Kane who is playiing this year and showing more defensive responsibility. I love that so many teams are in the mix going into the last weekend of the soon-to-be old WCHA. It's been such a pleasure being in this conference. They better do a tribute of some kind at the Fin Five.

Now go out and play 60 minutes tomorrow. Play Sioux hockey. Take care of business. Still one game at a time. Hey, it worked tonight.

Keep your stick on the ice and don't Bogart that joint.

As long as you take it one game at a time.

And some people think with them.

SPARKY!! Somewhere? Surely there is a way.

We would be dam lucky to get that bracket.

Pattyn is a hard worker who plays a physical game. I hope he can still play with a brain and leave the stupid stuff in the locker room. It's getting close to that time of year, when an avoidable penalty at the wrong time has a steep price. Much as people loved Prpich and Hextall, those two made extremely stupid plays at times, and even when they did not get the box, contributed to closer scrutiny by refs, IMO. Hit hard, play aggressive, but walk away from the stupid shat.

You have to account for the fact that he is a Minnesota product, Mariucci.

I've run into the guy at the golf course after an event and found him to be very engaging. He was on his way out after what was probably a long day and was very gracious--introduced his wife by name and seemed very willing to talk to a self disclosed Sioux fan. He may be a jerk, but he sure wasn't at that time. (no, not drunk) Of course, he wasn't coming off an arse kicking at the hands of his worst enemy either.

DL still play in that classic old barn? Great hockey venue.

Anybody hear if he won a game worn Sparky jersey?

Patton led the third army

Good, intense play all weekend. I also watched the conversation between Hak and Eaves after the game (streaming, not in person), and I got the distinct impression they (Hak particularly) were acknowledging the fact that this was the last game as conference foes. Can't tell for sure, but it was definitely not heated or overtly negative. Hak just seemed like he was saying a little extra, and Eaves did not seem at all bothered. He's an intense guy, and if Hak were confronting him, he would have reacted differently, IMO. Reffing is what it is, and there is always something to complain about, but I really could not beleive Mac did not get called for a trip before the 4th goal. The 3rd and 4th lines really forechecked well this weekend. All lines did, but they really stood out. Still some sloppy first passes by the D, but obviously a good weekend for them, and the forwards are starting to do their job in the d zone better also. Great weekend, but UW is not UM or SCSU (or UNO). They just aren't. Real tough test coming up. Will be interesting to see if they can keep the intensity and stay out of the box. The PK won't be a free pass from here on in.

If Hak costs us title #6 we should fire him.

Rocco is exciting, but he is nowhere near ready to take the step up

Hammer not calling many "one-timers." Word must have gotten through. Wonder when the public apology will come.

He's definitely a beast any team would love to have. A rare combination of size, skill and speed. Wrong jersey, though.

If we win, let rodent fans blame the refs. If we lose, move on and get them in the tournament.

I know the area in front of our own net is primarily a Dmen coverage area, but can anyone say if some of the problem with missed assignments is poor coverage by forwards in our own zone?

Kristo's absence next year will be felt big time. He's done everything for them.

I only got home last night in time to see the third period. I thought the boys played very well that period, for the most part, especially on the forecheck. After seeing the game highlights, there were certainly some coverage problems in front of our net.