skateshattrick

South and RR look to be a step ahead of the others. It's hard to say who is better, but South had impressive victories over Grafton and White Bear Lake. Sean Deichert may be the difference. I was at the Grafton game, and although North won, I still think Grafton is the better team. They need to stay out of the box and straighten out their goaltending, but they should be okay. I would put it in this order: 1. South and Red River 3. Grafton 4. Devils Lake and North Central will be in the thick of it before the year is out, and may grab the No. 4 spot.

Holy Cross! You are right. It's amazing that Gopher fans like you so desperately need Sioux fans to reinforce your belief that the Gophers are the greatest thing since sliced bread that you troll around Sioux message boards telling everyone just that, and jumping on anyone who dares disagree. What's the problem? Not enough hugs as a kid? Holy Cross Syndrome?

Great post! You actually beat me to it. Contrary to some people on this board, I view dissenting opinions as what a message board is all about. If this board is just going to be a lovefest, what differentiates it from GPL? I don't think that there is anything wrong with being critical about the team or players at times, as long as it is done tactfully. I don't agree with a lot of Lives-to's posts, and some opinions are worded a little too strongly for my tastes, but I think that he is entitled to his opinions as long as he does it respectfully and keeping in mind that players and their parents sometimes read these boards.

I personally like and appreciate your information. Please don't let a few surly posters discourage you--most people are very receptive to the information that you provide.

If you go to http://westerncollegehockey.blogspot.com, there is a recent poll of Minnesota AA hockey. Moorhead is No. 3 and and Roseau is No. 7.

I don't disagree that the offense is also not performing at a high level, but AAU has traditionally been difficult to score on because they play a trap and force their opponent to play dump and chase hockey (it hurts to even say that phrase). Additionally, good offense is generated by solid defense, particularly a transition game that the Sioux do not have right now. I also believe that this team can and will turn it around, but there is no way that they can win consistently if they are in shootouts. Ask Minnesota last year down the stretch (remember St. Cloud? )

Why can't we expect to win 2-1 games against AAU?? They traditionally have been one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, and that is typically how you beat them. This year, they scored only 2 or 3 against MSUM, Wisconsin and Tech. Plus, the Sioux have traditionally been a team that wins with defense. If we continue to give up goals against weak competition like MSUM (4 and 5) and AAU (6 and 4), we will be in serious trouble when we play teams with more offense like UM and DU. Whether it is goaltending, the defense, or the forwards not taking care of the defensive zone, UND needs to right that ship soon.

In all likelihood, it would be a supervisory writ or a writ of mandamus. The ND Supreme Court would have to accept the writ first.

I really do not want to get into a spitting contest with you either, and acknowledge that you are entitled to your opinions. I also do not disagree that the USHL is a superior league. However, my point is that the USHL is getting to be a younger league for prospects, and that the NAHL is much closer than it was a few years ago. I think that is evident by the number of D1 scholarships which increase every year. What I do have problems with, however, is that you made a statement that is not true--that Phil Fox left the USHL because of the speed of the game. He never said that, and the fact that he received a D1 scholarship to Northern Michigan demonstrates the fallacy of that contention. Finally, I don't have any problems with your opinions, but you always manage to take gratuitous and unnecessary jabs at the NAHL, such as saying it is the level of a decent high school team. If that comment was intended solely to be mean-spirited, it accomplished that objective. However, it is untrue. If you attend any NAHL games (which I gather you do not) you will see that the level is far above high school. It may be below the USHL, but it is still Junior A hockey and very good hockey.

I would ask that you cite or produce that article in which Fox allegedly said that the speed of the game is greater. I don't believe that you can because it simply is not true. The USHL being faster is a myth. Ask Brooks Dezellar from the Jets who just returned from Sioux Falls. He had no trouble with the speed of the game, he was just told that he was too old. By the way, he was a standout with Holy Angels. As far as comparing the NAHL to a decent high school team, that is just untrue and demonstrates that you do not know what you are talking about. Many of the players in the NAHL have USHL experience, and most were among the top players from their teams in high school. If you look at the Jets, Grant Larson and Marc Mihulka have not exactly been lighting it up, and they were among the best players in ND. Several other top players from ND who played the Elite Leagues and did well did not make their roster or the roster of any NAHL team. If you look the rosters of the teams around the country, you will see that there are quite a few players who came from the NAHL and it is increasing.

I don't disagree with you about Moreland's potential future with the Sioux, but you struck a nerve with your comments about the NAHL being an inferior league. My apologies for being defensive, but you are wrong about Phil Fox not being able to cut it in the USHL. He was out on the ice whenever his USHL team needed a big goal, particularly on the power play. He was clearly good enough to play at that level, but the USHL has turned into a league for high school age kids and for kids who are already committed to colleges. He got caught in a situation where he was not playing enough because they had made commitments to those kids so he came back. The gap between the USHL and the NAHL is narrowing. Jacque Lamoureux said that his team at Bismarck would have beaten his brother Mario's team at Tri-City. That may or may not be true, but it certainly is arguable. Moreland would not only play, but do very well, with ANY USHL team. He had an opportunity to go to the USHL but chose not to. Robbie Phillip made the Indiana Ice, and was told he would be on the top 2 lines, but chose not to go for personal reasons. Austin Lee already has a scholarship to MSUM. You are entitled to your opinions, but think about what you say first. There are a lot of high school and Junior A players and coaches that read these message boards, and I think you will strike more nerves than just mine with those comments.

You may be right, but he is clearly good enough to play D1 college hockey. I think his intentions are to go back to UND as an invited walk on, but that could change if he keeps lighting it up and gets interest from other schools. You really should go see him. He is very talented and could play WCHA hockey. He may not get a chance to play for the big boys, but he can play. Robbie Phillip is reportedly getting interest from UND, and at least at this point (keeping in mind that Matt Moreland is older), Moreland is a better player.

Read Brad Schlossman's blog. He quotes Eades as saying that Toews and Oshie will be on different lines.

That was this year's class. Last year's class was upset by Grand Forks. This year's class got hot at the end.

Great post. It is nice to hear from a parent's perspective. Good luck to your son (or daughter) no matter what he or she decides.

I like the Miller-Anderson-Hills line. I think that will be the top line in the State. However, South's top line will also be good. RR will have the best defensive pair with Galbreath and Ladoucer, but South's D corps will be huge---Wurden, Metz, Anderson, Wagner and Dawson are all very big. Tanner McLean may also be in the mix. South probably has the best depth in the State, but Grafton and RR may have more top players. RR and South are also well coached teams.

I agree with you, but I can assure you that his parents are not happy because they felt that he could have gone to UM and played the last 2 years (whether that is rational or not is not the issue). He came very close to going to UM and playing with Potulny and Irmen. It really doesn't matter anymore.

It is my understanding that John Erickson accepted the head coaching job at Shanley. John Erickson is a long time coach that runs the International Hockey Schools in Detroit Lakes. Mark Pivetz has also offered his assistance.

According to Dale Lennon at Sioux Boosters today, Reed Manke is ready to play and will play against UNO.

You are missing Chris Vande Velde. I would say either he or Bishop will surprise people the most.

I'm sure that they were, but they may be more interested in Jeff Foss of Moorhead, who is one of the top defensemen in Minnesota. He made Tri-City, but decided to return for his senior year of high school. I'm pretty sure that the Sioux have been talking with him.

They would have put any high school top line to shame? If that were the case, how come none of them went on to play juniors or college? Junior gold is typically for kids not good enough to play varsity hockey. There are some kids who fall through the cracks, and others who would rather play for fun than the structure of high school hockey, but it generally is not very good hockey.

Very well put--it expresses my sentiments exactly. The persons on this board have put this into proper perspective and understand that despite our loyalty to our team, this is a game for young men and I hate to see him go out this way. On the other hand, the U of M honoring his scholarship is very classy and Don Lucia should be commended.