Redneksioux

Huhot sign is going up in gf

Kinda creepy!

Could it really be?

Ok so the Sioux are a bigger draw in St. Cloud than St. Cloud is in grand forks. I guess it's practically impossible to compare what rinks have the best atmosphere but from my experience the atmosphere at the Ralph generally is lacking. Don't get me wrong out of all the games I've been to(I'm sure many on here have been to more than myself) I've seen the Ralph rock pretty hard. Sioux gopher games, world junior championship, the west regional, and a Denver game maybe 6 years ago. I know there's been more at the Ralph but generally the place has more of a social NHL type atmosphere pretty comparable to the leafs games I've been to. I just prefer the smaller and cozier college venues.

Very unique architecture. I thought the alfond was ugly from the outside but when you step foot inside it makes sense. I liked the placement of the student section in the 2nd level and every seat seemed very close to the action. Very tuned in fans and just being there made me feel like I was in the middle of the action on the ice. If I'm back out near Orono during a game I'd go in a heartbeat.

Maybe I've only been to az once and it was a quick trip to see Hoover dam during a Vegas trip. Out of the few college hockey venues I've visited my two favorite were bemidji's old arena during a Sioux game and Cornell's rink. Was at both Sioux games in Ithaca and have been to a couple non Sioux games there too. Very neat and loud little rink.

Maine, quinnipiac, Cornell, rit, bemidji, St. Cloud, Duluth, Harvard, mn, Mankato, Denver, and of course und.

I have not been to those arenas when the Sioux weren't in town. I see what you are saying but I have been to a number of other college hockey games not involving the Sioux as well as a few whl games. All arenas were louder than most of the games I've been to at the Ralph. I've also seen the Ralph rocking on a number of occasions. With that said, the fan's decibels will be higher this weekend in St. Cloud than they will be in February when St. Cloud plays at the Ralph. That sounds apples to apples to me. You can stand up during a big play in St. Cloud without being yelled at to sit down. You can cheer in St. Cloud without fans looking at you like you are a crazy at the Ralph. Better atmosphere even without the alcohol in St. Cloud. Just my opinion;)

The Ralph probably is the top facility in all of college hockey. It has an amazing training facility for the athletes. It draws more fans than any other college hockey arena nationwide. I does draw recruits. On the other hand it greatly lacks the atmosphere you will find at a number of other smaller college hockey arenas nationwide. It has more of a professional feel to it which I'm not fond of myself. Und has great fans. They travel well and it would be amazing to be in St. Cloud this weekend to be a part of it. The Ralph and und's stature/tradition does give our school an advantage over others. Und has a very high paid coaching staff as well. Add all this up though and und still hasn't been able to win the most important games since the Ralph was built. Yet other teams with much less invested into their programs have.

Maybe it's just me but I sense some arrogance in some of your statements regarding und's hockey team, recruits, and facilities. See Jk's post above. The reality is that there have been plenty of college hockey programs that have had more success winning big games since the Ralph was built. I'd love to see that begin to change this season myself.

Last weekend was loud. But the atmosphere is generally weak on a regular basis. Too many attendees not the type of a hockey game.....it's treated closer to that of a movie theater.

The Ralph is great and all but what percentage of Canadian recruits grew up knowing about the Sioux and dreamt of playing for und? Sure it can wow some recruits but if I were a recruit on a scouting visit my observation of game time atmosphere would play a big role in my decision. The Ralph lacks this in most games big time. Go to a game or two in st cloud this weekend. At least und and the husky fans bring an atmosphere in clown town. I agree there are few current teams that carry und's stature and tradition in college hockey today. But take a review of the past 14 national champions and tell me which of these teams will consistently win the big one due to their stature.

I'll agree with your moot point. At the same time I wouldn't be shocked if ndsu adds d1 hockey in the next ten years. If college hockey continues to grow and und football does close the gap with ndsu football, the ndsu ad will make a move of some sort. Regardless of who the new startup teams are, with the right investments and focus into the programs, stature can be overcome. There's a ton of international talent and college hockey's biggest recruiting competition is with juniors in Canada. Tradition and stature are great and all for our athletes, but our hockey team does employ some professionals in the coaching staff. In their professions they are and should be judged on what they are currently doing.

I'd agree with you on this one. Just pointing out the parity in the college game. As time goes on I predict the parity will increase. Ten years ago who woulda thought und would lose a couple games to bemidji state? It's foolish to say that if any school started a d1 team, und would dominate them for 30 years due to stature and tradition.

The USC/Alabama reference is irrelevant. If und went fbs they could never compete with top fbs recruiting. College hockey is different. Stature means nothing when you are head to head playing a game that either team can win. What has und's stature and tradition done for them with recent national championships? It's given them a chance and that's about it. Sure IF ndsu ever does decide to start a d1 hockey team they will never match und's tradition. Neither will asu or penn state. But who will be the first to win the next natty? It's anyone's game.

If ndsu had interest and would invest in a d1 hockey program they are in the same "hotbed" as und. Many young guys grow up dreaming of playing for a certain team. und probably has more of those guys playing now than they have in a while. Hopefully they can make it happen in April. But any team can click and go on a roll. What about bemidji? How many of their players grew up dreaming of playing for bemidji state? Recently that team has learned how to control und's game. It's a big deal for them. If ndsu had d1 hockey, you don't think a game vs und would be their Super Bowl? At least every one of those games would be in grand forks;)

Time to man up jack. You chose the wrong people to manage your finances(your parents). Get a few more NHL seasons in and you'll still be better off financially than most!

That is an excellent idea. Too bad in most people's eyes that is considered cruel and unusual punishment. With what she is forced to go through because of their actions though, I think it would be totally justified, and still wouldn't give her back what those idiots took from her.

I can't recall exactly but the nchc may have already had the CBS contract signed....before Fenton came in.

Was Notre dame stubborn about the tv arrangements or was the nchc stubborn? The way things stand today with the CBS deal, couldn't Notre dame be in the nchc with their current tv deal?

If I already would've gotten my buck I'd buy these off u in a heartbeat!

News release....Vikings traded Adrian peterson! To the twins! Twins needed a switch hitter!

Because the nchc knew what they wanted with a tv deal and Notre dame wouldn't budge. Now look where the nchc's national tv deal has gone. If the nchc would've just made a couple exceptions or not been so pig headed with their tv deal requirement for individual schools they would probably have Notre dame and more exposure right now.

That statement by the ad that's been brought up....."opportunity for student athletes" Does he think his current student athletes will be able to be competitive in one of the top d1 conferences?

I'd like to see another PAC 12 team add d1 hockey and see both teams join the nchc. According to their announcement Arizona state is hopeful another PAC 12 team will join them. Washington?