skateshattrick

You are correct. Scott Sandelin coached the FM Express of the old American Hockey Association, which also folded. That makes at least 3 failures with the top junior hockey leagues. Maybe it will be different this time, but even with a new facility, its going to be a tough sell in Fargo. There is just too much competition for the Friday and Saturday night dollar. Not only is there UND hockey, but there is NDSU and UND basketball, high school hockey (which is extremely popular in Moorhead and getting very popular in Fargo with South's recent success) and all of the youth activities. I wonder if F-M isn't better off with the Jets and the NAHL. It is still Junior A hockey, and its getting better. It is comparable to the AJHL and the SJHL, and a step ahead of the MJHL. The USHL and BCHL are a notch above as Tier 1 junior hockey leagues, but there are more kids getting D1 scholarships from the NAHL than ever as the USHL gets younger.

I agree with this, with a couple of caveats. First, if there are local players on the USHL roster, that may have an effect on some people. Otherwise, the quality of the product and the entertainment value is not close. Recall that Fargo-Moorhead at one time had a USHL team coached by Scott Sandelin (the FM Bears) that failed, and later became the FM Ice Sharks that also failed. You can make a case that facilities had some effect on the failure, particularly the Ice Sharks who played in the Coliseum. However, most true Sioux fans prefer the D1 College game, particularly played at the level that it is played by the Sioux. Second, if the Sioux were to struggle, some may decide not to continue to make the trip from Fargo and decide to go to USHL games or high school games instead.

This is where you are wrong. The difference between the east and west this year is more dramatic than most years. I agree that Devils Lake is beatable, but frankly, RR, South and Grafton are worlds above any of the teams in the west. South is probably more talented than RR, but has some "chemistry" problems. They pounded Bismarck, and it was no fluke. RR pasted Minot, and Grafton beat by 3 goals. There is virtually no chance that the top 3 seeds from the east get beat by west teams, and frankly, I will be surprised if any of those games are closer than 4 goals. I expect that Devils Lake or possibly North will be the 4th team coming out of the east. They are both beatable, but if DL is playing its best, they won't lose to Minot, Bismarck or Jamestown. North is at least as good as them, as they beat Bismarck and tied Jamestown. North's top line is very good, they simply don't have the depth. The bottom line is that DL and North should also beat the top seed from the west, but it may be a very good game. This is not intended to be "west bashing" as I realize that there are years when the west has very good teams, and I also realize that there are good players from the west. In fact, many of the top players in the west would be the top players in the east. However, the depth of the top teams is where they have the advantage. South and RR can roll 4 lines and their 3rd and 4th lines will be better than most 2nd lines in the west. That is reality.

The EDC bracket should be on Bob Gillen's website at www.gfparks.org/ndaha.

Yes. He is small, but very good. I believe he's only a sophomore. When Roseau and Moorhead played recently, both Dave Hakstol and Don Lucia were present. The conventional wisdom is that both were looking at Aaron Ness. That makes sense because John Lee is already committed to Denver, Jordy Christian to SCSU and Roseau is mostly underclassmen. Another possibility is Jeff Foss, a defenseman from Moorhead. Warroad is a little down this year. The only senior who has garnered much interest is Aaron Marvin, a SCSU recruit. They have a couple of juniors (Hahn) who are pretty good, but they will probably play juniors if anything. I doubt that they are on anyone's radar at this point.

Yes. It can be done and it has happened. A verbal commitment is not binding, but most kids and schools honor that commitment. However, I have seen kids and schools change their minds. A case in point is the son of the new Gophers football coach. He verballed to Illinois, but it was reported in today's paper that he has changed his mind and is going to Minnesota. Rumor has it that Keith Ballard gave a verbal to UND, and then changed his mind. There really are no consequences to that decision. If they sign a letter of intent, that can be binding. If the coach/school decide not to let the recruit out of that commitment, they can make them sit out for a year.

What are you doing back troll? Have you finished licking your wounds from the spanking that the Sioux gave the Rodents? The last time that we heard from you, you were making some smug little remark about how many days that it has been since the Sioux last won a national championship. We never did hear back from you after the Sioux once again won at REA east. I have a question for you----How many days has it been since the Gophers last beat the Sioux?? ................ 388 days of solid choking and still counting.

You are missing the point. There are laws like traffic violations that result in fines. They are technically not crimes. If you get a speeding ticket, you probably should not be suspended, although technically you have broken the "law" as there are statutes and ordinances that prohibit speeding. Alcohol related offenses like minor in possession are also not crimes, unless they involved driving or the like (DUI's are a misdemeanor). Misdemeanors are crimes, but are not serious and usually only involve fines. Felonies are typically punishable by imprisonment. This is an oversimplification, but you should get the point. The point is that we all break "laws" every day, such as speeding or jaywalking. There may be a fine or other consequence, but suspension from team sports should really not be an option. This offense is much closer to a speeding ticket and does not deserve a suspension. That is not to say it is "ignored." The consequences are the fine and the record, as well as what the coach decides for violation of team rules. However, this really isn't a big deal.

No, they don't. Go to www.ndaha.org. They don't have them in Minnesota either. The only tournaments that they have is for Pee Wees and Bantams. The closest thing to a state tournament for squirts is the International Squirt Tournament hosted by the Fargo Flyers every February. The Flyers beat Grafton handily last year several times and took 2nd in that tournament, losing 2-1 to Edina. They also did not win PeeWee A. The Fargo Angels beat the Fargo Flyers in the championship 2-1. Grafton did win the Bantam A last year.

I don't honestly know. I can kind of see your point that a person in that position should act with dignity and class. However, let me ask you this---what do you think of a politically correct AD who says he won't play a school because it uses a Native American name or mascot? I would be much more embarassed with the latter.

I love the way Robbie Bina plays as well, but I think that you are forgetting Curtis Murphy, the master of the hip check and one of the toughest small defensemen that you will ever see. Russ Parent also comes to mind.

The USCHO poll is out. The Sioux are ranked #12. I'm surprised. I thought that the Sioux would be top 10.

This one is for TC Transplant and Hextall---381 days since the Gophers last beat the Sioux----381 days of solid cholking..............I was at REA East on Saturday. Priceless. There is nothing like a sweep to shut up trolls like TC Transplant.

Last 10 years: 1997 UND Sioux 1998 Michigan 1999 Maine 2000 UND Sioux 2001 BC (in OT over UND) 2002 Minnesota 2003 Minnesota 2004 Denver 2005 Denver 2006 Wisconsin Over the past 10 years, the Sioux have been in 5 Frozen Fours, 4 title games and won 2 championships. I believe that the Rodents have been in 3 Frozen Fours, 2 title games and 2 championships. Both pretty impressive. If you believe that 6 years ago is not "recent", than I suppose its a matter of perspective. To Denver and Wisconsin, the Gophers haven't won for quite awhile---1386 days and counting. If you want to be arrogant, I guess Wisconsin could say that the Gophers haven't done anything in a long time. That is the logical extreme of your argument (which assumes that you are ever logical or have any objectivity) To the rest of the country, its pretty recent. The Sioux have had their failures, but at least they never lost an NCAA regional team to a team from a conference that no one has ever heard of---Holy Cross. In the last important game that the 2 teams played, in Columbus at the Frozen Four in 2005, the Sioux won 4-2. The bottom line is that these are probably 2 of the top 5 programs in the country no matter how you measure it. The Sioux certainly hold their own with the Gophers. We can both manipulate the statistics to support our side of the argument, but your stupid rants really get old.

You're right. Then he could just wear his Gophers jersey in public without causing too much of a reaction.

Perhaps because he tires of your condescending messages that are almost always contrary and intended to stir up controversy. If his response is "2nd grade", then surely your posts are preschool or below. You are like that little pest that only exists to annoy others and everyone wants to punch in the face. Tell me---WHY do you even post here? Do you ever have a reasoned response or an objective thought, or is your purpose in life simply to annoy Sioux fans?? Your signature line says it all. Unlike many Gophers fans who post here that are objective and actually add to thoughtful discussion, you are why many of us cheer when the Gophers stumble.

Well put. Both played with injuries and both have been the center of attention for the best checking lines of other teams. These guys are unbelievable talents. It will become apparent when they leave.

By your logic, Taylor Chorney (-3) is the worst defensive defenseman. It would also tell you that TJ Oshie (+1) is a worse defensive forward than Jonathan Toews (+8). Why don't you set aside 20 seconds some time and tell me everything you know about hockey.

What a joke! He is by far the worst defensive defenseman. To answer your question, there are at least three obvious reasons. First, because he is seldom on the ice when the other team's top line is on the ice. The coaches recognize that as well, so they put him out in situations where he does the least amount of harm. Second, there is often a faceoff in the defensive zone after he left the ice because he either iced the puck or could not get the puck out of the zone. Unfortunately, goals are often scored off of face-offs in the defensive zone. Finally, he is fortunate enough to be on the ice when the top players such as Duncan, Toews or Oshie scored, with very little to no contribution from him. That is why plus/minus is the most overrated statistic. If you happen to step onto the ice while a goal is being scored against, you have a minus and the converse is also true. Rather than looking at stats, perhaps you should watch the games. I'm not going to debate you further, but I resent being called a "fool" by a person who has not demonstrated any knowledge of the game. Why don't you talk with some of the coaches in the area and ask them who the worst defensmen is for the Sioux. I'll be shocked if you hear any other name.

That's exactly my point. Brian Lee may have had higher expectations, but it is totally unfair to single him out or to constantly rip him when he clearly is better than Finley even on his worst day. Besides, Finley was also a first round draft choice, so he's not entitled to a free pass. I'm trying my hardest to refrain from ripping Finley, but suffice it to say that he's not close in ability to Brian Lee.

I agree that Brian Lee has not played up to his expectations this year, particularly lately. However, he is not close to being the worst defenseman. For all of the Finley apologists out there, he is by far the worst defenseman on the team. I don't care what his plus/minus is, he would not be playing if he were not 6'7". He reacts slowly, gets beat easily and often, and often throws the puck along the boards without looking, creating numerous turnovers and constantly feeding the point. I realize that he's a work in progress and has a lot of potential, but he scares me every time he's on the ice. Jones has also taken a lot of untimely penalties that have cost the Sioux, and as much as I like Genoway, he is not physical enough on D. I would much rather see him at forward and Radke back on D. Chorney and Bina have really been the only consistent defensemen, and both have been very good. Chorney is the most underrated defenseman in the league.

I'm with you Sioux Hab-it! Jon Toews is a special player and I have really enjoyed watching him. Players like him do not come around very often. Many times, he is the best player on the ice and has nothing to show for it on the score sheet.

As much as I admire Robbie Bina and Ryan Duncan, I have to say Jonathan Toews. Much like Zach Parise, Sioux fans will not appreciate how good he is until he is gone and playing for a very long time in the NHL. He stats may not show it, but I truly believe that he is the best player in the WCHA.

All valid points. My question is: who is going to score next year with Toews gone, Porter gone, Oshie possibly/likely gone? I like Zajac too, but I view him more as a grinder than a top flight scorer. Duncan can score, but without Oshie and Toews, its going to be a lot more difficult for him. The Sioux better hope that they have some impact freshmen next year, because I don't see a lot of natural scorers out of the rest of the current sophomore or freshmen classes. Maybe we will get lucky and Oshie, Chorney and Lee will all return.

Yes. There is a Gaustad on the Grafton HS roster this year, one of the sophomores. His dad is Dan Gaustad. Paul Gaustad is the nephew of Dan Gaustad (Paul's dad and Dan Gaustad are brothers) and lived in Fargo for awhile. They moved to Oregon a few years back, and Paul Gaustad played in the WHL rather than college. He then went to Buffalo's AHL team and was brought up to the Sabres, I believe last year.