lawkota

Not only that, but the current wet cycle is a lot longer than most people think. Devils Lake has been steadily rising since 1940. Close is a relative term. The natural outlet (through the Tolna coulee) is at an elevation of 1459 feet. Stump Lake is at about 1428 now and rising - fast. It's up 2 feet in the last 30 days and about 4 feet since snow melt. It could equalize with Devils Lake late next year at 1448. Nevertheless, Stump would still have 11 feet to go to reach the natural outlet and that means Devils Lake would have to rise the same amount. That is a tremendous amount of water. More water, in fact, then has taken to raise the lake the 24 feet since 1993. When Devils Lake started rising dramatically, it was at an elevation of about 1424, it covered 48,000 acres and contained 650,000 acre-feet of water. Now, at 1448, Devils Lake covers 131,000 acres and contains 2,550,000 acre-feet of water. At an elevation of 1459, Devils Lake would cover 260,000 acres and contain 4,600,000 acre feet of water. Thats almost 2,000,000 more acre-feet of water, plus an additional 200,000 acre-feet to raise Stump to the same level. Not saying it won't happen, but it helps to understand the magnitude of what needs to transpire.

I have the Sioux finishing 5th, right where they were this year. My predicted order of finish: 1. Colorado College - I just can't see this senior dominated team not winning the conference. Yeah, McElhinney is a big loss, but Zaba isn't too shaby. 2. Minnesota - more talent than any two teams in the nation, or so I've read about a thousand times. However, it will be interesting to see how other teams in the league play the Gophers next year, now that the word is out that they don't like physical play. 3. Wisconsin - they have to be improved, right? I mean, they lose only 1 player (albeit one of the best goalies in the league). 4. Denver - the Pioneers have bigger losses than the stat sheet shows but much like the last two years, they will weather a early season slump and will find themselves in the thick of a national championship chase. 5. North Dakota - a very young squad will experience some growing pains, especially on defense, but has the potential to come together in the same way they did this year. If Matt Greene returns, they could challenge for a top 3 finish otherwise, look for no better than 5th, but no worse either. 6. Minnesota Duluth - The Bulldogs graduation losses mirror those of the Sioux, in terms of numbers and importance to the team. The difference is that UND was a notch above UMD this year and has a much better incoming class. They are here because they have more offense than Anchorage and I expect Reichmuth to have a better Senior season. 7. Alaska Anchorage - This team was worse than their record last year and stole wins they had no business getting. There will be improvement on the ice, but not in the standings as the Seawolves are a year away from challenging for home ice. 8. Minnesota State Mankato - Should be able to score but the league's worst defense is not likely to improve with Volp gone. 9. St. Cloud State - maybe the freshmen will show more promise as sophs, something last year's freshmen didn't do. A better than average returning defensive core and goaltending keeps the Huskies out of the basement. 10. Michigan Tech - as much as I'd like to put Tech in front of St. Cloud, I can't. They lose one of the league's top playmakers in Murphy and a solid goalie in Ellsworth. Even if the younger forwards step up, they still are going to give up alot of goals next year.

Happens to everyone. It was a great idea. I would have loved to take in a game at either of those ballparks.

I think the attendance counts are accurate. I didn't count but 700 and 1,100 seem right. Tarleton had a good group of fans and brought a pep band as well. Findlay brought a large contingent of fans so I was disappointed to see them lose. Some pretty good games.

These numbers make no sense. I went back and the 2002 tourney (where Metro beat Kentucky Wesleyan in Evansville) drew 13,700 for the 4 sessions. I think the Herald numbers are referring to the entire championship, including the regionals. Even without a local team, I would think that 3,000 a session is an attainable goal for the tourney.

Looks to be official - Thomas is new NCC Commish. Herald Link

I see nothing but the truth in that article. Team Canada toyed with Slovakia on Saturday and steamrolled Sweden yesterday. The other teams in Group B have showed nothing. Canada will walk into the medal round. Whether they get a test there remains to be seen. Russia has the forwards but are they disciplined enough in their own zone? The US doesn't have near the depth that Canada does and it looks unlikely at this point whether Montoya can carry the team. Canada has weaknesses - goaltending is a unknown and they can't seem to stay out of the penalty box - but 4 days in - I would say the gold is Canada's to lose. Of course, they've been in that position before. I really enjoyed seeing the Canadian fans get into yesterday's game. REA was really jumping. However, I could have done without hearing 100+ red & white fans chant "USA sucks" in the concourse afterwards. We are constantly being scolded by our friends up north about our supposed "classless" behavior and jingoism. Look in the mirror.

REA officials are expecting attendance of 250,000.....for 31 games. Some other attendance figures for world junior tournaments 1999 - Winnipeg - 173,453 2002 - Czech Republic - 111,128 2003 - Halifax - 242,173 2004 - Helskinki - 116,556 (3,760 avg)

Why can't student-athlete eligibility requirements be uniform across all NCAA divisions?

If I remember right, Branigans was kind of elegant for a chain. The River Bend would be similar. Also in East Grand is Whitey's and the Blue Moose, which is my wife's favorite place. Both of these are basic american fare with a more casual atmosphere. Lola's is a trendy italian place in downtown GF area. Run by the same guy who has Sanders I believe. I think the Bronze Boot is hit or miss, I've had some poor meals there as well as some good ones. Sanders is generally considered the best in GF and I think the cost issue is a little overblown. Yeah, you can easily spend $100+ for 2 there, but you can at other places as well. Here's the menu.

Gimme a break. Bench clearing brawls are spontaneous? In hockey, where the combatants are continually checking each other, the occasional escalation is staged? But the basebrawl isn't? Yeah, I get your point - a baseball player gets beaned and the emotions erupt in his teammates.....they just can't control themselves because they were already on edge, sitting there chewing, spitting seeds, watching tv in the clubhouse. BTW, when was the last time you heard of a bench clearing in hockey? I honestly can't recall a recent one.

There is no difference between the self control of hockey players and those of any other team sport. I've seen punches thrown in basketball, football, soccer, etc. They are competitive, physical and emotional activities and because of that tempers flare. If you don't like fighting in hockey, fine. But place the blame where it belongs. Not on the players, but on the governing body that allows fights to escalate beyond a push or punch. In this case, the WCHA and NCAA. Yet DaveK applauds the NCAA, the NCAA that permits its officials to determine whether or not they should break up an altercation. I'm still at a loss trying to figure out how a hockey go is disgusting, but a basebrawl is entertaining.

Huh?

Not including this season: Dale Lennon - 5 years - 3 conference championships - 1 national title - 1 national runnerup Dean Blais - 10 years - 5 conference championships - 2 national titles - 1 national runnerup Maria Bruggeman - 6 years - best conference finish 4th - 2 regional appearances - 1 victory. What standard are you using? Again, I'm not saying that she should go. I don't follow volleyball that closely. But from my perspective, she has not earned a down year pass if you use the Lennon/Blais standard.

C'mon Sicatoka, the situations aren't even remotely comparable. In 2001-02 Blais had a freshmen laden team that had a disappointing season. Yet, they still managed an 11-15-2 conference record. Plus, Blais had been coming off back to back national title game appearances. To say he had earned a little slack is an understatement. Bruggeman also has a very young team that from past statements from her I assume has a fair amount of talent. They are 0 for the conference. Despite the 2 NCAA regional appearances, her past teams have been average at best, judging by conference results. You can give her a pass for this year, and maybe she deserves it. But don't insult Blais by implying that because he got one for 2001-02, she gets one for this year.

After I voted, the results showed St. Cloud with 1 vote. Must have been Lucia's.

As a pre game gathering spot for fans, I don't think the Penalty Box is a bad idea. I would agree that the rest of it is dumb (cheerleaders and frequent drinking cards??). Regardless, I don't see how any of it hurts the game. I come to watch and cheer the Sioux. I don't care what someone else is doing, or not doing, or where they're doing it (obviously, there is a limit to this ). If a guy who paid for a seat wants to waste his time in a bar watching the game on tv, that's his problem. It doesn't ruin my experience (in fact, it probably improves it). If the couple next me just want to sit in their seats, motionless and quiet, I'll scratch my head as to why they come at all - but it doesn't prevent me from going nuts after a goal. I know there are alot of people in the arena who aren't there for the game. I doubt there's anything you can do to change that. Sioux hockey is the "place to be". The arena and the team are the problem. It's too nice and the team's too good. Neither are going to change.

My pocket schedule says Meet the Sioux is October 5 at 5:30 pm for both men's and women's team.

I have heard grumblings as well. The common thread among those I've talked to is that many long time FSC (and predecessor group) members are upset because it is no longer the "club" it once was. It used to be a clique, now its a big organization and can be quite faceless at times. It's frustrating. REA is the lightning rod for all the controversy, which I guess is appropriate since the building of the arena changed the makeup of the FSC. Plus, it's the home to the flagship of UND athletics. But it's a little unfair all the same. They are managing a world class facility in a small town, with the mandate that it turn a healthy profit. The complaints come with the facility, no matter who's running it. Ask yourself honestly, would you rather it had never been built? I would not - although I know several people who would say yes and I understand their reasons. The new REA (and BESC and the Alerus as well) means that UND sports is officially big business, and there is something disappointing about that.

I'd like nothing more than to see the Herald with egg on its face. I'm not a fan of the paper and don't care for Virg's Sid-like style. But I've got a suspicion that the UND's administration is in major damage control here because of its own doing. Mind you, I have no info to support this, just a hunch, so take that for what its worth. But I think that Thomas did offer Hakstol the job. The embarrassment from the Herald story put him in full spin control and now pressure from alumni may actually have him withdrawing the offer to Hakstol and going national with a search.

I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. BTW, good post.

Agreed DG; I would say that RT didn't as much make a decision as he put off making one until the end of next season. I have alot of confidence in Hakstol but as others have suggested, this is not the best way for him to get this job. Shortest leash ever is right Sicatoka. In fact, I think we can pretty much call him interim coach for the entire year. That is a disservice to Dave. That being said, best wishes to Hakstol and let's hope that he starts a very successful tenure as coach by hanging #8 next April.

Thanks to Dean for 10 great years. If you have to leave, going out when you've got the program in very healthy shape is the best way to do it. I wish you the best of luck at the next level and I hope you always consider yourself part of the Sioux family.

My wife and I signed up for it. I priced it out making our own arrangements and came to about $1,240 for airfare (2 connections), hotel (2 nights) and car rental. So the "extras" (direct flight, game tickets, day trips, lobster dinner, cheesy gift) are running $360 for both of us. Not a bargain but certainly not unreasonable. I like the fact that you are flying with the team and about 100 other Sioux hockey fans. To me, there is intrinsic value to that. I'm sure another charter company could do it cheaper - but so far, they aren't. Next September when Creative Charters is offering the same trip for $600/per, feel free to laugh at me.