Kuhninca

Well, FINALLY, UND's top line shines as Skarperud gets FOUR POINTS. He really has looked good since being moved up to the top line. Also, after moving Bochenski back to the top line, they have looked dominant at times. In an article in this morning's Herald, Blais said he is STILL looking at the #5 slot. That may not be very likely, but here's to the will to win! UND has had an incredibly hard season so far. I've not been kind to the team, as I truly believe they have underachieved to the tune of about 5 games! However, I continue to listen-in every chance I get and hope for the best. Go Sioux.

Still mostly positive things being said here. At least by the three of you who are still posting. Looks like a lot of people have given up. I'm still disappointed that Blais cut guys like O'leary and Hasbargen. In the process, he sacrificed this season for a shot at a title in one or two seasons to come. We at UND don't take lightly to losing, which is all this team is doing now. I wonder if he thinks it was a mistake in hindsight.

You guys are doing a great job of remaining positive in the midst of a dog season where we will probably end up playing Minnie and have no post-season play beyond that. The thing that kills me is this team could have been three or four games above .500 by now, but aren't. Undisciplined penalties and nights where they simply don't show up have cost this team. The elite stature of our program is in question, IMO. In a season where UAA and UM-'Kato make UND look silly, I am a sad fan.

Doc Nodak: I was really angry last night, so forgive me for being so negative. As for this team, I think Blais should go to two practices a day until they can PERFORM, as you pointed out, AND give a solid 60 MINUTE EFFORT. If the kids can't take the pressures of D1 hockey at one of the nation's elite programs, they can leave. That is not what I want. What I want to see out there is some competence. Passing and checking and moving the puck with consistency. This team is young. We all know that. But this seasons' performance at home has got to be the worst I've ever been witness to. We cannot let it stand as "Okay." Two practices a day, with the promise it will end when the team breaks their patheticness at home.

Yes, it is a "bitchfest" on my part.

Another example of tonight's effort: UND goes 5-on-3 for nearly 2 minutes. How many shots on goal do they get? 1? 2? SAD, SAD, SAD effort.

Tim & Tim, right this second, are talking about how B. Canady was the only one out there who really looked like he was playing at his hardest out there on the ice. They are saying how the upperclassmen look like they were unfocused. Obviously, it was not Siembida's fault. But Blais tomorrow ought to put B. Connelly and D. Faul in the lineup if they are willing to put in a better effort. This PATHETIC home showing has to end. NOW.

P.S. For the second straight game, the upperclassmen accomplish Jack Shmit out there. Ryan Connelly gets the only goal. What the **** has happened to Bayda, Skarperud, Schneekloth, Speiwak, Notermann & Mazurak? AAAAAAAAAGGHH!!!

Once again, a packed house of 11.300+ fans show up to see an ungrateful Sioux team play a flat, flat, flat game. Three straight losses at the REA. Nice intensity, guys.

Sorry, YaneA, I didn't mean to attack ya. I do want to reiterate that UND needs to show that they give a rip about home ice pride, however. The team has made great advances in the last month. Now it is time to prove to the home fans that they can and will show up with intensity and focus in front of the 11,000 fans they seem to have taken for granted vs Mankato. Thinking back on those two games still gets me angry! Go Sioux.

Get real people! There are only 7 weeks remaining in the season, and there is no freakin' way that the top 3 teams are going to get swept when playing the bottom teams. UND ought to focus on home ice for the playoffs. Winning the WCHA can be a goal next season. Now, this weekend is VERY important for the Sioux. They simply must establish some kind of home ice advantage, before the new REA becomes a liability. This team has done very little to get the fans behind them at home. It's about time. Go Sioux.

It has been fun to see players like Massen and Canady begin to look confident and productive out there. I'd have to say we've got all we can handle to finish 5th and get home ice. If that happens, it will be a victory of sorts for this team. Siembida seems to be the instant #1 goalie. With this kid's talent, UND has a very bright future. Until UND can show better puck movement, however, they will not get too far. Getting outshot 2-1 by teams like Minnesota will not do. Go Sioux.

One thing is for sure - if we rely on Canady and Fuher to be the only point scorers, we're screwed. I don't mean to demean the effort the team gave tonight. It's just that NONE of our juniors or seniors came through tonight and that is why we lost. The game was ours for the taking, but the only players who actually got the job done were Fuher and Canady, both freshmen. Here's to our upperclassmen not sucking wind next weekend.

Adams does suck a$$, but he is not the reason we lost tonight. We hit the #### posts AT LEAST 4 times and never scored on the 3 or 4 breakaways we had. If our offensive players had converted, we had the game. Give credit to Weber - he played a good game. However, Bayda, Skarperud, Lundbohm, Spiewak, Notermann, Schneekloth and Mazurak all did exaclty JACK SQUAT offensively. Thus, we lose.

The consensus seems to be that the game was poorly played by both teams, at least in some categories. For UND, the puck movement was bad. Goaltending good. For UM, pressing too much led to odd-man scoring chances for UND. Goaltending not as good. I expect the Sioux to have a better game offensively tonight. I worry about Brandt letting in a few softies, though. If UND can't clear the zone better (D. Hale - you need a tutor on passing from behind the net), we'll be in trouble. Go Sioux.

ScottM: I was catching MAJOR sh!t for posting on UM's "Prideonice.com" board tonight. What a bunch of sore losers. Of course, I freely admit that I was extremely critical after UND dropped 4 in a row vs UM_Mankato and Wisconsin. However, I never stopped being a fan and I am happy to say that Blais has done a good job of teaching the youngsters how to play at the college level. Truth be told, UM is overconfident and cockey. Go Sioux.

Okay, my initial reaction was one of "Ha!" due to the overconfident rantings of UM fans on USCHO.com. However, thinking back on tonight's upset win, I'd have to say UND has made major strides in the last month. Even with Mazurak and Lundbohm playing sub-par games due to their recovery from injuries, this team managed to put together a 3rd period that was one of the highlights of the season. Of course, the highlights have been coming on strong lately. Go Sioux! Dare we dream of a sweep? I doubt it, but here's to the possibility!!!

P.S. Siembida outplays Hauser. UND's newest recruit is a keeper. Two big wins in a row in front of large crowds of hostile fans. We scored in bringing this kid into the fold, especially during mid-season. Go Sioux!

"Goof Ups" lay an egg at home. Congrats Sioux!!

All I can say is: Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,! Once again, an overconfident, cockey MN team lays an egg to ND. Even if the "Goof Ups" win tomorrow, they still will be judged to have blown it this weekend. Go Sioux!

Siembida, in his first game as a Sioux, played in front of 18,000 hostile fans and won the GLI Tournament. Blais is being careful not to be publicly too optimistic, but I think we will see Siembida as the main UND goaltender by the end of the season. As for the Gophers, keep thinking you will sweep us. Its a foregone conclusion, right? UND just beat the #4 team in the nation and will have Mazurak back this weekend. The top line of Bayda-Skarperud-Massen has finally been established and looked to have good chemistry. Massen has scored 6 points in the last 4 games, if I'm not mistaken. Go Sioux.

Was Minnie trying to build Ferris State's program over the holidays?

One good thing - Siembida is used to playing on a team that left him out to dry regularly. His USHL team relied on him heavily to stay in games. Another plus for the Minnie series - he already played a game in front of 18,000 hostile fans and won. Things are looking up for the Sioux!

It would be nice if the Herald did more for those of us who don't live in ND and can't get the hardcopy. Of course, they don't have to maintain a website at all, and we are not paying to view it, so we can't complain too much. Congrats on a HUGE win, Sioux!

I've gotten the "cannot find..." message before, but only when I tried to connect too early (before the pre-game show started). It looks like somebody dropped the ball at XL93. In fact, when I hit the "contact us" button, it also didn't work! I'll try it again.