ScottM

Yeah, we're all pretty brave on a message board. As for Greene, I hope this doesn't become a needless distraction for the rest of the team.

This was probably posted elsewhere, but Gretzky, about the only person the owners and players both respect, was quoted at the WJC by The Hockey News as saying he expects the lockout to go into next season. There are some other issues that may pan out too. If the NHL is able to declare an "impasse" under US law, they can have more leverage to break the union and impose their "economic certainty" on the players through arbitration. However, doesn't mean the NHL players would come back, and it would increase the specter of replacement players. However, the more I think about it, the longer this goes on, more players like Blake may be willing to play for less $$$ for a few more years, rather than the "stars" who make $8-10M per season who seem more disposed to sitting out the season or two.

I think it would be fine to schedule a two-year deal with UNO. However, given the limited number of NC games that can be scheduled, most of these things are done 2-3 years out, and not everybody can bring in a Maine or BC for NC play. IIRC, the UND-BC deal was done shortly after the 2001 Title game.

This guy was screwing up games when I was on campus, why in the hell is he still around?

And the fact NHL clubs do not use Olympic-size rinks, and the NHL is the end goal for most of our recruits ... unlike some programs' recruits.

I think every top-tier D1 school is in an "arms race" of sorts. So instead of bringing players in who are 19-20 years old, who have gotten little ink, we, and every other school, are racing against the BCs, Michigans and Minnesotas to bring in the "next Gretzky", e.g., the media whirl around ZParise, Toews, Kessel, Bradford, etc. Before Crosby went MJ, virtually every college hockey program was aiming at that kid when he was 14-15. I think it's great to bring in a "star" or two, but I think by relying on SSM or 17 year olds in the BCHL we are overlooking some very solid players in the USHL and Canadian leagues who would do well, and stay 3-4 years too. Then again, it's something every other school seems to be experiencing too. Before Lucia, it was very rare for Minnesota players to leave before 3-4 years in their program. Now, as their recruiting has expanded beyond their borders, and they bring in more players with few ties to the school and program, the "stars" will most likely opt for 1-2 years before taking the jump up. Just my .02

It doesn't help SCCC. "Outplayed" means winning, it doesn't mean losing with an asterisk on the side. WE got outplayed, because WE lost. "Deserve to win" has not an f'ing thing to do with it, this isn't welfare. Score more points than your opponent, and then you "deserve" to win. This is hockey, not a damn figure skating competition, and it's time to start playing like your season depends on it, because it does.

Congrats. Have you bought his first pair of skates yet?

"Chump" def. Eng. 1926(?). n. 1. "a person who cannot grasp basic sarcasm." 2. "a person with no sense of reality or humor." --Bloody Bill's Dictionary for Hockey Fans, 2003

If you have comments about somebody else's postings on another board, why not take it up on that board, instead of turning this into your own personal bitch-fest?

It's probably less an issue of Hakstol, or any other coach, raising hell with his players, as opposed to the players motivating themselves, and each other, to play up to their abilities. I'm starting to get flashbacks to the "Clerks" scene where the guys play street hockey, whenever the Sioux get ready to hit ice.

OMFG, are you sure you like hockey? I'll see that top-40 stuff, and raise you Metallica (pre-Black Album), AC/DC, Judas Priest and Ozzy (when he was on drugs).

Exactly. In both programs you have younger guys who are playing 1-2 years ahead of where they should be, and, especially at UND, you have seniors who are playing like fourth line freshmen. Frankly, I'd rather play the grinders and role players like Prpich, McMahon, Porter, etc., than the draft picks and "stars" who seem to take shifts off every night. Guys who are in leadership roles are not doing their jobs, and sure as hell aren't producing either.

Hell, you can say that about 75% of the team at this stage, and most of those guys have seen more playing time than Radke.

To the best of my knowledge, Hakstol hasn't sat too many starters this season. Maybe if he started benching some starters, especially those who should be playing above a frosh level, he'd send a message that "every job is temporary". I don't care if he has to roll two lines and play thee d-men, something has to get these guys motivated, as it doesn't seem like the captains are doing their jobs.

MTV? They play music? Have to agree about Clear Channel, etc. Mostly crappy bands, playing crappy music, and that doesn't even account for their stranglehold on tours, venues and tickets. Fortunately, I found a local college station that plays everything from Led Zep to Primus to The Butthole Surfers to NWA. Oh, and "Elvis" lived down the street from me when I went to UND. There was a local radio guy who had a Lincoln with "Elvis" plates and an "Elvis Presely Blvd" sign in the back window, so it had to be him.

I would be happy just taking 2 pts from CC. However, if our guys play the way they have recently, offensively and defensively, it could get very ugly, very quickly. This is very much a series that could make or break this season, because it doesn't get easier after this, and momentum is key.

Great? Are you f'ing high? If this team is "great", I'd hate to see what mediocre is like.

The teams that win consistently are those that create their own opportunities. "Hot goalies", "bad ice", "bad bounces", "tough schedule", etc., means s**t when it comes to getting a Title. Maybe somebody should point out that losing should never be accepted or condoned. The attitude of the team and coaches seems apathetic at best. Maybe a few jobs should be put on the line, if that's what it takes to get a fire under their asses. Rust or not, there is no reason we should lose to Mankato in our barn, especially when you look at both rosters.

FWIW, Zajac is ranked by Hockey News as one of the top-10 NHL prospects in the NC$$ game, along with guys like Montoya, Chucko and Stafford. They're projecting he'll be ready for "prime time" in 2006.

Crue was good, if not excellent, when they released "Shout at the Devil" and "Theatre of Pain". Now, they're just trying to pay the bills and live on royalties. And yes, I did see them in concert a number of times, before they were reduced to playing in NoDak.

I agree that I think the article is slanted in favor of pushing Toews to the WHL, even though it is apparent that the family is still considering the kid's options. I think it's appalling that any "scout" would insinuate that a player's draft status is dependent on where his older brother plays. And if the CHL is really serious about restricting NC$$ players from playing for the national team just because they took the college route, they should be ashamed of themselves. (Probably that traditional Canadian inferiority complex creeping up again ) Frankly, I don't see why TriCities calls themselves the "Americans" as there's only one on their roster. Moreover, UND has more NHL picks than a supposedly better WHL team. Maybe the real scouts know something more than the whoever is talking to the Toews family. If Toews comes to campus, I think he'll get a better look than if he winds up in that muddle that comprises the WHL, and UND and WCHA fans actually *know* hockey. He'll have a chance to play against some of the best talent, and future top round picks, than in the WHL West. If he doesn't the world won't end, and I think we had a pretty strong recruiting class anyway.

Sounds like the Canadian hockey honchos are "putting the arm" on the family. However, I think the fact that UND is still in the mix, compared to earlier stories bodes well for us. Then again, until he shows up on campus, it's still a crap shoot.

Vanilla Ice would be a good opener for either act.

You can never have enough cowbell! I watched the WJC on TV, and was able to get some of the TSN games too, and would hope the REA staff noted how much noise that place can hold. The Canadian fans are definitely good examples of how fans should act at games, which means get off your ass and cheer, or get the "f" out.