SportsDoc

AAA: See no reason to think Minot will stay within 20 points of South. South's M.O.: 0-0 after one quarter, 14 or 21-0 at half, blowout by end of 3rd, subs in the 4th. For Minot to be competitive they will need to score first and put a little doubt in the minds of the South team, which could cause South to make a mistake that turns the game around. AA: Watford and Trinity played a very close game in Watford in September which Watford won. Both coaches have lots of title game experience. Should come down to a turnover or key mistake. I suspect Trinity will avenge their earlier loss and win a close game. A: Velva going for 4 in a row. Linton, with 9 man titles, moving up a class last year. Velva is not as good as they have been and are vulnerable this year. Don't know much about Linton. On paper they appear to be similar in style. Toss up. 9 Man: Hey it starts at 9 a.m.!! First team to all wake up and smell the coffee wins!!

Looks like Drew was called up and got an assist on OT game-winner last night.

I can listen to the Woogster. He's definitely a Gopher at heart, but he should be. I can tolerate his quips. Some are actually quite funny! I do believe he sincerely loves college hockey, and that's a good thing. he's not just there collecting a check.

Dave: Sometimes you are comfortable with your role, sometimes you are progressing towards a degree that will be much more valuable than the number of starts you had as a reserve player (in any sport), sometimes you feel a sense of obligation to your teammates, sometimes you just love the game so much you want to be around it as long as you can, sometimes you have loyalty to a school/team/coaches who have given you the opportunity (even if it hasn't led to anything), sometimes you enjoy being around a program that is successful, advances to post-season regularly and has it's own set of rewards that are very intangible. I guess Walski fits into one or more of these catagories. He knows his place. he could have not come back if he so chose. He's there by his own choice knowing where he stands. Let him enjoy that!

FS 41, Williston 0.

While I agree with the closing of four year institutions (Mayville and Valley) with such close proximity to larger, more established schools (UND and NDSU), I would keep all two year schools to use as feeder schools for basic requirements into four year schools, with the possible exception of Bottineau. This makes geographic and economic sense, to me. I would, however, reduce the non-traditional programs (read: expensive!) that many of these schools run and go back to basic freshman and sophomore classes that would transfer. Then allow for the non-traditional programs to be at one institution only, instead of duplicated. There would be ramifications, both positive and negative, to any closures and consolidations. They are tough decisions. I would hope the BofHE and the NDUS would be willing to look at these programs and do what's best for the taxpayers of North Dakota and the students and future students of our system. Just my thoughts.

True, but the Conference Third place game allows a team on the bubble for NCAA's to get another win and get in, or get a higher seed. Those things do lead to Championships!

And you live where? Oregon? Or the "Great State of North Dakota"?

Italian Moon is the only way to go!!

In the long run, I don't care what the NCAA thinks or does, never have. I do hope they grant the exemption, just to give this issue an end from the NCAA standpoint. But I am very pleased that the University's administration and the state's Sioux Tribes have dialogued and come to an agreement. As proud as I am of being an Alumnus and a former wearer of the Sioux uniform and what it stands for, I would have been in favor of a change if there were not a clear majority of people on all sides who still favored the use of the Fighting Sioux nickname. I think this shows there still is a clear majority who favor the Sioux nickname. I don't think this means we should not dialogue, or worse yet, belittle those who feel differently. They are entitled to their opinion, and many make logical, concise, passionate reasons as to why they oppose the name. It becomes incumbant upon us to continue to use the Sioux name in a positive and honorable way. We also need to be big enough to admit there were times in the past when some were less than honorable with their use of the name and how they treated the Native American students on our campus. Those in the minority need to recognize that times have changed and the great majority of Alumni and students are quite sensitive to the issues of racism and it's negative effects. We cannot wipe out racism, but we can work to eliminate the racist attitude and the negative effects that come with racism. Dialogue and education are our best tools towards this end. Let's continue to use them to everyone's benefit.

My favs: Rick Wilson, Al Henry and Jim Cahoon.

Are you saying he isn't a Super Star? Only the second 18 year old ever to score 100 points! Not a bad first year, I'd say! This on a team with no one to take any pressure off of him, too.

Well, your first comment must just smack in the face of players like Prpich. McMahon, Genoway, Massen, Fylling, Fuhur, Canady, Schneider and Matt Jones! Second, who has left after two years lately that lived up to their potential? And remember when I started this thread it was about players leaving after one or two years, not three, so throw the three year players out. Zajac's numbers are down this year. Murray was a total non-factor last year (granted, due to injury, but still a down year). Parise, the year before, had a great sophomore season so maybe he's legit to go. Though I thought he had a sub-par second half his freshman year. That makes one out of three at best. What one other thing is glaringly missing as these guys leave early? An NCAA Championship. Isn't it what they all profess to come to UND for? Sometimes, when you're too busy looking out for yourself, that's when the Big Prize slips away.

Hockey is a unique sport as it transitions from amateur to professional. It is one sport that offers players with professional ability or aspirations to make a choice. In general, North American players have two options. On the one hand they can play Major Junior Hockey in one of the CHL leagues. They will get paid, if they have their HS diploma they will not have to go to classes. If and when they are good enough, they can make the jump to the NHL and their affiliated Minor Leagues like the AHL. If not at age 20 (except for a few overage exceptions) they are done. On the other hand they can choose to play NCAA Division I hockey at some of the finest schools with some of the finest coaches and facilites in North America. This, too, will afford them an opportunity to advance their skills to the NHL level, all the while working towards a college degree, which can be of great value later in life. Now for the "my opinion" part. I feel that if players choose the college route, they have expressed a desire to work towards that college degree, along with a desire to advance their hockey careers, and in return the schools have dedicated time and effort into their hockey and social development to help them achieve thoses goals. Personally, I think it is disingenuous of the players if they leave without giving the school three years of their time for the investment the school has made in them. After all, it should be the school part of college hockey that keeps them there as much as the hockey part. If the player really feels like he will leave after a year or even two, I would prefer they go the CHL route, and take some classes on the side if they want. Why? Well, for starters, the CHL has a draft every year. Players there are not bid on or courted (recruited), they are drafted. It is a yearly event. At age 20, it's see ya later (yes I know about overage players). NCAA players are recruited. Lots of time and effort is spent by coaches on wooing players. Yet they have no idea if they will get that player, he can go to a rival school just as easily. These coaches must plan for what type of player at what position to bring in each year based on need. It is catagorically unfair for these players to suddenly bolt when the money flashes, putting programs in binds to find replacements who just might not exist in availability. The good programs always rebound and rebuild. But I do not think it is good for college hockey. Final thought: Give college hockey three years or don't come at all.

1-0 BC

You mean it's over?

Go Cowbell Guy!!!

Well, I'll give Phil his due when he "earns" it. He came in over-hyped and has not lived up to it, plain and simple. He's lazy, floats around looking for offense at the total expense of his own end. Has no idea what a two way hockey player is, thinks they are extinct. Oshie comes in under the radar and has done things Phil has not. Examples: goals and game winning goals, statistically. Also, great two way player who has prevented more goals than he has scored. Loves to deliver big, clean hits. Jumps right back up and plays when he's on the receiving end. Here's something else Oshie is that Phil doesn't know the meaning of: unselfish. But, because Phil had the pre-season hype, Phil wins the awards. Fine, but he doesn't deserve them. I think I am being very unbiased. Case in point: When Vanek and Parise were Freshman, I thought Vanek had a better overall year, and that Zach's production dropped off considerably after he got back from World Juniors. He hit a "wall" or teams adjusted. Wahtever, he slipped. Vanek won ROY and I was in total agreement with that award. This one is a crock. But, I suspect Oshie to be the kind of kid who could care less as long as he's still playing hockey, which he is. So, T.J. just keep playing and proving them wrong!

No way! That would really hurt. That #7 had a great career, you know! Now we'll have to find someone else to wear that jersey. Just won't be the same! Probably won't be near as good, either.

Say hi to Mike, and it's Schmitt, isn't it.

Yep. And this oughta do it!

Frozen Four or Bison Football? They're almost the same you know!

Since the games are not on cable, I'm watching a live stream at: http://ne.cn8.tv/channel/channelhome.asp?lChannelID=647 Right now, Maine 4, Mich. St. 3 after two.

Hey, don't forget Dickinson State Volleyball in that poll!