Shawn-O

I think they tried this during the Denver playoff series last March. If memory serves, it went something like this: one guy in the parking lot with the hibachi fired up, and about seven people milling around a beer tent by the east entrance. Hey, where else can you pick up a 12 oz bottle of Coors Light for five dollars?

While I generally agree with Woog's predicted order of finish, I don't think a whole lot of original thought went into the analysis. Goaltending, strength of schedule, and offensive production from the blueline (or lack of any of the above) are cliches, and have all been beat to death by the blowhards on POI and USCHO to the point of becoming folklore. Yes, goaltending was an issue. Three of the four were sent on their way, and two of the top six USHL goalies (by GAA) were signed. What more can you ask of Blais to address the issue? Pat is right, the tandem of Johnson/Briggs is as big of a question mark as the Sioux situation. As far as the non-conference schedule goes, we all agree last season was a joke. However, Boston College, Yale, and Duluth is very comparable to what the non-conference schedule looked like in prior seasons. Blais is back to the formula of two with Hockey East, and two with the ECAC. This is back to business is usual, with last season being an aberration. With the issue of offensive production from our defensemen, I agree with Pat and Mad Man's posts. Again, I agree with Minnesota-North Dakota in the one-two spots, but I think depth at forward and special-teams play will be the difference. Just my $0.02.

The video quality is pretty decent.

Hennessy and his sidekick are implying that this may be the smallest crowd in REA history.

STAFFORD GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!

Yes, but he sounds like he's coming at us live, from Pluto.

Alternating Miller Lites and Limon Cokes.

What a train wreck. This is like a Dilbert cartoon, with the English chick starring as the pointy haired boss.

Call me crazy, but I'd make sure the product was working, if I was her. She's totally clueless that we're out here in the dark.

Porter going off for a high stick. EDIT: Stauffacher called for a slash with 0.2 seconds left.

It lasted a good 45 seconds according to the Duluth guys. That's an eternity in the hockey fight world (in college).

The Duluth feed seems to be working OK. Prpich and Peluso going at it, now. Peluso seeming to be getting the best of it, according to Duluth announcers.

My audio stream is doing funky things too. Senser's Roseville has shown the games in the past. Champp's Maple Grove might be worth a try.

This place, hopefully, lost thousands of dollars in revenue tonight (indirectly). Find a bar with the big dish, and watch it there. Who needs this hassle.

Bochenski-Parise-Murray Prpich-McMahon-Stafford Massen-Hale-Genoway Porter-Lundbohm-Fylling Fuher-Jones Greene-Schnieder Smaby-Foyt

GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!! Fuher at 12:41.

It counts in the PWR as a non-conference game.

This is bulls#$t. Going to Hennessy now.

Black screen here, also.

I was able to register this morning, and it was still free. Though I guess if you're on dial-up, it's a mute point.

Walsh Hall - An Overnight Sensation

Single game tickets go on sale Saturday morning, 9/27 at 9am, at the above number. From experience, I'd suggest calling well before 9. If you can get standing room tickets scattered, take 'em and stand together anywhere. No one has kicked us out of our squares yet, and I've gone five seasons in a row. Another strategy that's worked for us, if you have the time on your hands, is to get to the ticket office at Mariucci about 4pm on Friday, gameday. There are usually a handful of unused tickets that come back from the Gopher family and friends section, but you have to wait in line a good hour, at least. We sat next to the Guyers during the Friday game last season.

Holy s#@t!! Bison win with a furious second-half comeback. Montana's kicker (who will set the all-time Griz scoring record this season) misses a 40 yarder as time expires. Bison win, 25-24. The Montana announcers said the NDSU offensive line dominated in the second half. Disclaimer: I'm a UND grad and love bashing the Bison as much as the rest of us, but give credit where credit is due. This is a hell of a win.