burd

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.

The problem with plays like Mac's is that when you invite refs to make a bad call chances are they will. The first hit was great--classic Mac. The little hit when the guy was down was foolish (and ineffective) and also classic Mac.

Sparky come home!

Holly Cross is not Minnesota, but this is the kind of swarming, uptempo game many have been looking for from this Sioux team.

Is it true DaveK is Gino Gasparini?

The one-timers thing is so pitiful it has to be intentional. Surely he's heard . . . .

Some truth there, since a blue chip goalie will control rebounds, but the success of "shoot first" is just as dependent on how much traffic your team can generate in front of the net. If the other team has Dmen who are very good at keeping the slot clear, you might as well pass. But if they don't or you have a garbage meister like ZPar, that's different. One problem, in this age of butterfly goalies, is that players tend to go high so often, resulting in fewer rebounds.

Hakstol has always said he values what the tournament does for his players.

Whatever the reason, it sounds like sitting him worked.

Prpich was the most different guy I can recall to get a point.

It's true Gregoire and St. Clair were only verbals, but some would say their decisions were even more turncoat. College and majors are two distinctly different routes to the NHL. There is no interleague play, and a there is no return from major junior. To promise one college your allegiance then chose another is a choice between two teams playing the same game. A player like Gregoire can go on to hurt the team he decommitted by playing against them for his second choice. I'm not criticizing players who change their minds in either venue. But to give guys like Gregoire and St. Clair and many others passes but to come down hard on Miller is not completely fair. Whether they are 17 or 21, they are kids making big decisions about their futures. They have to do what is best for them. Fortunately, we are fans of an elite program, so we enjoy the fruits of many of those decisions, including the decommits.

Jason Gregoire a selfish liar too? And Colten St. Clair? The kid made a decision. Good for him. It happens to all the top programs--and to others as well.

Merry Christmas all of you. May you be well and with your families