SiouxForever

Rocco with his beliefs and McWilliam as Captain next year won't let work ethic and a little adversity get in the way next season. You could also add in the character of General Patton too. The Knight, Nelson, Kristo will need to be intact next year, however if Kristo decides to leave for AHL bus rides, Roccos is more than willing and is one of the most dynamic players I've seen at UND in the last ten years, and I only watched ONE (1) live game of him, the game against the Gophers in Gopherland. He was playing at 65% and was skating circles around a pretty solid Gopher defensive corps. Rocco, is that good and that skilled. His speed sets him apart and his ceiling on his skill level is off the charts. I got goose bumps watching Rocco in that game, the same way I did watching T.J. Oshie dominate his Freshman year because every college team didn't have Oshie on their radar that year when they played the Sioux because that Sioux team was so deep with guys of Toews, Duncan, Stafford, Spirko and T. Zajac.

This year could be the cinderella year. They also have NO PRESSURE going into the Final Five and NC. Next year, the roster and lineup will be the best we have had in the last 10 years. Yes, I'm serious, I don't care how deep last years team was. You have to realize who's coming in next year and who's really only leaving. I don't want to speculate on who's leaving. But with the addition of the Huntsville goalie coming in next year and just with Schmaltz and then with Rocco being healthy alone put's this team on the map to be ranked in the top 3 to preseason. You also through in Chyzyk an Koules and then you see the offensive lineup and it blows you away. You really wonder where St. Clair, Jimbo, Dickin' fit in - extra forwards and bodies none the less. Let's not forget the kid, Brendan O' Donnell and Derek Rodwel, those two have some things to prove next year. One needs to remember, outside of Rocco, O'Donnell was our best incoming freshman forward this year, not taking anything away from the year that McMillian and Parks are having.

I was at the game. A few things that really stood out with UND. They got beat to the puck and were out muscled by Minnesota. Minnesota had bigger, stronger players, not to mention one of the best goalies in women's hockey. Minnesota also had a more complete team with more depth throughout their lines and especially their defensive corps. UND needs to find some women studs on the blue line. It doesn't matter that they have the Lamoureux girl's they can't do it all. Those two girls need help. If no help at that department next year, those girls won't reach their goal of winning at National Title at UND. UND's goalies weren't entirely the culprit of the game. First goal with Ney in net was unacceptable, but it was also a deflection off a skate. Still she looked really shaky, that's why Idalski pulled her and put the foreign goalie in. Enough with the criticism, the Women's program has come along way and Idalski has received some nice recruits over the last few years. Goaltending should be good next year, and more depth throughout the lines, the one question mark is again defense, in which I just don't understand. The formula for a winning a NC in women's hockey = a good goalie, a few studs on offenses and 1-2 studs on D, that's all you need. You really don't need a complete team. As women's hockey is comparable to boys high school hockey, most good high school hockey teams can get away with 2 solid lines and a mediocre 3rd line that plays regular shifts but get's less ice time and in addition the team rotates their 4 best studs on the blue line, even though 6 D dress. Okay, post over.

Right. Please list some teams.

Are you kidding, Maine and BC would handle the Gophers two losses, brortha'. Gophers are soft.

Hold on there, kid. Nortre Dame has sunk it's ship this year, losing a lot of big games this year. Standing at 19-16-3 the fact they're still somewhat rated in the pairwise just screams what is wrong with that metric and hockey East media BS. Calling them a decent team, is almost somewhat irrelevant now. Calling Northeastern a decent team, are you kidding me? Year and year out, the Sioux look to schedule the best teams out East if both teams can aligned with their pre-planned schedules for the year. The Gophers always and will continue to play a soft schedule. Have fun beating up on Penn State in the future, what a great "potential powerhouse team" ,right?

I like the final outcome with this list much better. Seems more accurate and no, I'm not being UND bias.

He's a work in progress. There's no question about the kids size and talent, he's skating and hockey ability is a little raw at the moment. Think of him as a football player on ice. He needs to polish up on his game over the summer and possibly at Red River next year, during his Senior year. There's potential there, but the kid needs a big development over the summer. Skating and other fundamentals and intangibles needs improvement. Good player though!

Yes. However, I never got to experience his era and time at UND. Eddie is great!

By the end of the year, this Sioux team could have 4 (four) 20 goal scorers in Brock Nelson, D. Kristo, C. Rowney, and possibly C. Knight. Too bad Rocco and O'Donnel weren't on the team. Damn...

Well, he will forever be know as the best Freshman goalie ever, because he got it done, that is the National Championship. I remember watching him so much that year ('97) smaller goalie, but was just a battler and won big games at times. I was a fan!

What happened to aron schweitzer after winning the National Championship his Freshman year in '97? What was the reason on his departure? I can't remember. Anyone?

With all due respect to Minot, I'm pretty sure RR JV's team could beat Minot's varsity team. Red River is that deep!

You're right. But I don't fabricate my opinions or statements on a message board, why would I? I vividly remember that era, those teams, and those games, either going to the game or watching the games on WDAZ while playing roller hockey in my basement. I remember!

No offense Buckysieve, but I know I'm younger and have a better vivid memory than you. That's a fact. To say I don't remember is completely wrong. Were they sold out every game, no. Against rivalry opponents, you'd have a tough time finding a spot, maybe other than the seats in the last few rows in the ralph here and there and that'd be very spotty. Nothing like what you see now at Marucci or AMSoil arena in Duluth, horrible spotting of unused seats all the time.

The old Ralph was sold out still or near capacity in that stretch my friend. I remember going to the games against the Gophers, Badges, Tigers etc. The UND teams with Tedder Wyne, Curtis Murphy, Nick Namenko, Darcy Matini, era with Greg and Ryan Johnson and Landon Wilson and even Russ Romanick sp...they had a fan base and following. I don't know what the hell you're talking about. Sorry.

I was alive and at those games in the early 90's. Those weren't down years, per se. UND had some great players from that era, not the best recruiting classes and a lot of players who played one year and left out of nowhere the next. Down years, maybe, but the fan base loved those years at the old Ralph during that stretch. I, for one of them.

You sound like a Gopher fan. I stuck a fork in them the last 3-4 years. What a falling of a program. Better this year, but still not great. That "ego" factor they have needs to be checked at the door amongst their players, fans, and state that is in a deficit. I live and work in the state, so I'm fully aware and not trying to bite the hand that feeds me. Comparing the truth to a sense of ignorance, is truly the laughable thing here, pal.

As much as I love the great rivalry between the MInnesota Gophers and UND in hockey, if they do in fact go on a hiatus for a few years, I'll be okay with that. I would love the Sioux to schedule a few more games against BC or maybe even Boston University or Hockey East Schools. Minnesota fans, need to truly understand that their program is not god's gift to college hockey and in the hiatus stretch, maybe their fans will be able to be non fair-weather fans and actually fill Marucci to capacity at one point, let alone show up on time...Been to many games there, don't tell me it doesn't happen, or that other events, (Gopher Basktetball) games are going on, or that Minnesota hockey is now the third tier sport at Minnesota, it always has been! The reason why, is solely on the fact, that those teams year in and year out will not compete or be competing for the National Tournament. Minnesota, Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin (on down years, happens to everyone, but the Sioux) and in the foreseeable future Nebraska (I know, still needs to come to fruition), will not be top elite talents winning the National Tournament. Not going to happen. Other than the generating revenue between the series with the Gophers and Badgers, I strongly feel that UND will be ok. Don't get me wrong, those series/rivalries/ and atmosphere is second to none. However, playing other non-conference games in their replacement for a few years is not a bad thing, it will help generate more awareness for UND across the college hockey spectrum, as if we needed anymore, but it won't hurt. Keep in mind, the rivalry between Denver, CC, and UNO - which is heating up, produces great weekend series. Not to mention in Miami University now, their program is not laughable as to Notre Dames, They're aren't' too many people not taking notice to what Miami has done in the last 5-8 yrs. with their program. Those games will be great battles with UND in the new league.

Anyone else find it ironic that the StarTribune article written by Rachel Blount was posted today, along with the UMD article regarding the racist/hostile chants. Weird, right? I mean, let' see UND played Duluth two weeks ago and that article couldn't have come out any earlier? Who's controlling the media people? Who's buying into it? Putting too much thought into it? Probably, but I live to question things.

Bottom line, for the Sioux to win/sweep they must play a full 60 minutes of "discipline" hockey.

If he didn't have kids, I'd do it if I were him. It's not like he couldn't find another job sooner than later.

Joel still in charge?

And frankly for the record, we also have Minnesota Gopher coach's and administrators regarding their hockey program shying away from playing North Dakota because they are flat out getting embarrassed over the last few years and don't admire the style of play that our team (North Dakota) plays with and shenanigans that take place year in and year out. The Big Ten conference, besides Wisconsin, (they still play with an edge here and there, but they also rely on a trap system type of game, when they have "down years" on the offense ) could create a European style of play. Up and down hockey, fun for attracting newer fans that are in the majority of the niche college hockey fan base. However, seeing text book checking and big hits is always fun too. I think that Coach Lucia needs to realize, that for the pure development of his upcoming recruits, that if they want to play in the NHL, the style of play that will be instilled in the Big Ten conference will hinder them, just my own thoughts there. I know that's a whole can of warms, but it is the truth. And I know, the Gophers, Badgers, Wolverines, will still develop players to play in the big show one day, despite the different style of play that will be implemented in their conference, but if I'm recruiting a top tier player, I say come play in the National Hockey Conference instead - You'll face tighter competition from top to bottom and also will have non-cupcake games in non-confernce scheduling games. Rant over.

Well, if you've ever smelled the smell of $$$, and if this possibility ever came about, given, that the two teams were on the list and wanted to schedule Minnesota or Wisconsin, the money game always wins. This PC (personal computer lol ) bull$%!# issue would be thrown out the window.