The Whistler

There used to be one 20 minute sudden death. I think part of the reason to change was to make the game more TV friendly.

I say we put an asterisk on Denver's win loss record this year.

I agree with you. However it's very clear the NCAA is fixing the tourney so that they don't have the best teams at the Frozen Four. I guess having different regions represented is more important that the integrity of the tournament.

LOL

I see that the Rocky Mountain News had a preview of the Frozen Four. They ran through the teams that might show up reasons why they'll make it and reasons why they won't. The reasons why we won't don't make any sense to me: Let's look at the record. Three years ago we went out to the site hosted by one of the Boston schools and had to play both of them. I think it was Boston College that was predicted to maybe win all of the cookies that year. Two years ago we hosted the regional, but we still had the #1 ranked team in our region. I suppose it's a break that Holy Cross beat them, but I wouldn't call it a break. Holy Cross was a better team that year. We still had to beat the perennial power Michigan. Finally last year we had to play the ever strong Michigan and then the highly ranked Gophers. So maybe you could say we had one break in the three years. On the other hand in all three years we came out of the strongest bracket in my opinion. What difference would it make if we have to beat the Tiggers to get to Denver?

And you call yourself a Sioux Hockey fan, I'm still bitter about the elbow to the head that Doug Smail took in the 1980 title game that wasn't called. You''re not a fan if you can't carry a grudge beyond reason. Seriously though, I thought that Schmitt was worse as time went on. I blame that on being told one thing one day by the boss and told another thing the next day. I see Wisconsin has filed a formal appeal. It looks like it goes to the faculty representatives. I'm going to bet that they decline to do anything because they don't want to stuck fixing the WCHA's screwups week after week. Course I"m terrible at predictions.

Kids can be so mean.

Minnesota State? When did they start playing hockey? OH, you mean Mankato.

Well we're not really going to come to an agreement on this issue. I do agree that he HAD been an excellent referee early on. Towards the end not so. Two incidents come to mind that are inexcusable. Not calling a major penatly when Murry? from Wisconsin ran Travis Roche head first into the boards. That one was even more blatant that the Paukovitch hit. Not backing up Jay Kleven when Schmitt missed the boarding. It was a boarding penalty.

The Natural.

I heard it on the pre=game radio show.

Sounds like Double Secret Suspension to me.

What was the chance the two Bemidji products want BSU in the WCHA?

Total screwjob, but it worked out ok last year. We played a couple cupcakes in Michigan and Minnesota in order to advance to the F4.

My opinion on the issue at hand is that I'd like to help BSU but we need to improve our own situation as well. I'm glad that UND has stepped up and given the Beavers some games. I don't want to see us play the marquee games less often. There's the problem.

You're hitting the nail on the head Redwing. Many of our good officials have gone down the tubes. Mike Schmitt for one started great and ended not so good. When everyone is doing a bad job it leads you to believe the problem is the leadership, not the individuals.

We should sweep, but it sure isn't going to be easy.

Not so much. In the strength of schedule comparisons 8 of the top 10 are WCHA teams. Michigan Tech is #12 and for some reason Minnesota State (Mankato) is #19. (That doesn't make sense does it?) In fact what we have seen the last couple years is the polls are prefering the CCHA teams with their cupcake schedules. The good teams can run up great records against lesser teams. The #1 Team in the PWR is Michigan (tied). They've played the 31st easiest schedule in the nation.

Hakstol said in the pregame show that Kozek wasn't feeling well. He said that he wasn't feeling well Friday either (and didn't play that well IMO) The way he said it I thought it meant the flu or something.

Um, they changed the rules to something better. The NHL has done quite a bit to clean up their act in officiating. The only problem I have is in their suspensions. Sometimes somethings worth a suspension, the next time it it's just a stern talking too.

#6 on the USCHO poll. Up two points.

Hakstol said he wasn't feeling well before the Saturday game. He also said he wasn't feeling well on Friday.

I thought Miller played well and certainly played hard. But I don't think he's getting the best we can get out of Oshie and Duncan. We should have the best line in the country times two!

I'm sure the Catholics will find that hostile and abusive.

Right, I thought to make fun of INCH.