lawkota

Sorry if I misinterpreted you. I absolutely agree that UNH will have to play with a lot more discipline against either Minnesota or Michigan. Also, I thought both teams generated a couple good chances on one on one rushes. Since I think there is more overall team speed on the UofMs, this could pose a problem for UNH. How come you aren't in Buffalo?

If you're implying that the western teams are clearly better than the eastern teams, I have to disagree. The third period was a little ragged but I honestly think we will see a h*ll of a final game against two very good teams. I would give UNH a slight edge over Michigan. Maybe Minnesota a slight edge over UNH.

Another good chance for Cornell. UNH looking a little ragged right now, playing not to lose.

Chris Abbott for Cornell. 3-2 UNH. About 10 minutes to go.

Ayers is having a solid game so far. Redemption for the mess in last year's semi game - of course he was left hanging most of the time.

Doesn't it look like there are alot of empty seats for this game? The UNH-Maine afternoon semi-final in St. Paul last year was much better attended. Another bad penalty by UNH. Cornell on the PP, 3:50 left in 2nd.

Vesce scores for Cornell. A redirection on the PP. 3-1 UNH, about 10 minutes to go in the 2nd.

Saviano had a tough angle shot and beat LeNevue short side. Soft goal allowed. I think he caught the Cornell goalie looking towards the slot. U2 - I thought it was a weak call as well. He got pushed in Ayers as much as anything else.

Savianno goes high on LeNeveu. 2-0 UNH, 18:30 remaining in 2nd. After a poor start where Cornell dominated, UNH has looked very, very good.

mikejm, I'm not giving anything away. I don't have that power. But if the students want more tickets in the lower bowl, they have to come from another section, preferrably next to the one they're in. I was just making a negotiating suggestion. I really like flatspin7's idea but I firmly believe that the people in section 106 (or 103) are going to be the toughest people, collectively, to move. As airmail said, it would be donation suicide. Therefore, I don't think its realistic to ask for it. There's no doubt that the students should have been put in a corner to begin with and the athletic department probably realizes that now. Lastly, the people that run REA have had their problems but all in all, I think they are doing a fine job at managing what is essentially an NHL or NBA type arena. It's unfair and inaccurate to characterize them as money hungry or idiots.

This article seems to imply that the seating issue is not settled yet. Change to Student Seating Enkers implies that the students like the center ice but most of the students who post here seem to like the corner seats. I hope for the students sake that Enkers doesn't adopt a scorched earth plan of attack - he will surely lose. My guess is because of the problems with standing, the center ice seats are gone. Seats in the south end of the lower bowl are not in the picture, because of who has them now. Take Section 111 and lobby hard for most, if not all, of section 112 as well. Show the AD you have a plan for cleaning up some of the language and getting the rest of the crowd involved. Take some responsibility instead of just claiming entitlement. ndgopher - the atmosphere in the new Mariucci is stale. We can disagree as to which arena, REA or Mariucci, is more stale but don't pretend that a game at Mariucci is the ultimate experience in collegiate sports - that's laughable. Williams Arena is a much better atmosphere, even if its bouncy ball. Of course, I might be biased - I'm a U of M graduate as well. And how can you have your tickets to the gopher series already - they're not even printed. You might want to cancel that check.

I'm not going to argue that REA doesn't have a profit motive because they do. In fact, it's state mandated. The only positive is that the profits get run back into the university. I also agree that the students are getting stuck here. But I take issue with the often used characterization by current students that they are the university and should be afforded special treatment. I'm sorry, but the students are but one part of the university. Yes, without students, UND wouldn't exist, but the same can be said for faculty, staff, alumni and generous friends.

The best line in college hockey - I'll take that. A very good second line - I'll take that too. And then the talent drops off? Offensively, I agree - although McMahon will anchor a very strong defensive 3rd line. The 4th line is a question mark although I challenge you to find another WCHA team not named the gophers that can pencil in 3 solid lines for next year already. Defensively, the Sioux have the talent but will they respond to the loss of Hale? They looked lost without him the second half of the year. Perhaps knowing that he won't be there will help. I have to agree with you on Greene - I was not that impressed with him and thought Marvin had made better strides. But college defenseman is a very tough position to adjust to. I remember Doug Zmolek as a frosh with the gophs - he was brutal. But he turned out alright - 2nd team All American his junior year. So I'm not going to throw the towel in on Matt - too many hockey people think highly of him.

agree with mksioux, the corner seats are a step up for the students and I think that they should have gotten more lower level seating - perhaps the west half of section 112. While being on the south end corners is better cause the Sioux attack twice, I don't think that was realistically going to happen. Sections 102, 103, 106 and 107 are coach's club FSC members - they are in those seats because that's where they want to be and they pay the extra $$$ to make sure. Those sections are almost always packed for home games - the vast majority are hard core fans. I'm guessing that Section 111 was the only place to move the students. It is listed on the REA website as "Not for Sale" - I don't know who used those seats but I presume it wasn't FSC members. Maybe someone here knows for sure.

Unfortunately, Concordia-St. Paul, weak as they are, could probably beat all three of UND's nonconference opponents.

skates, if you equate McMahon with Adam Calder (and I think you are correct in doing so), then you have to consider McMahon as an "impact" forward as well, despite the fact that he's not a scorer. I would tend to agree with your assessments though. To date, the forwards from that recruiting class have been a collective disappointment. You can measure the contributions of only 4 of the 7 and of those 4, most would agree that 2 have underperformed. I don't know how you could come to any other conclusion.

Bisonguy, that tired lecture can be made on any sports message board, including bisonville.com. But thanks for the scolding. Yawn.

I really don't see how this article translates into them considering D-I. I think you're right though - if SDSU and USD leave, UNO is as good as gone. Of course, this has been speculated by many on this board in the past. However, I see the current 8 team NCC setup (with UMD and no NDSU & UNC) in place for about three years. (SDSU isn't going anywhere unless Gene Taylor giftwraps a conference for them before September.) After that, who knows but I will say this: UND has the resources in place to make a leap to D-I much quicker and with less difficulty than either USD or SDSU could do it.

I can't speak for the rest of the country but in the WCHA.....nobody. I think the Sioux will match up the best talent wise but as we have seen the second half the year, talent alone doesn't do it. Mankato has all those intangibles of a winning team but they lack the depth to be considered a serious contender to the Gophs. Same with Duluth. SCSU, Denver and CC (I'm assuming Senja is gone) will all take a step backwards next year, although CC was supposed to have done that this year. That's my take, but as skateshattrick stated, anything can happen. I'm assuming noone leaves for Minnesota. If Vanek and Ballard go, it will hurt but there is ample talent to cover - it'll just take some time. The only Sioux I see leaving is David Hale. The speculation is that the Devils won't sign him now because of his health problems. However, I have read that NJ is not happy with his development in the college game. I believe the Sioux will find it hard to replace Hale That brings me to a gripe against the Gopher faithful: Almost to a fan, they discount the effect the loss of David Hale had on the Sioux the second half of the year. "Oh, you're just making excuses" "One player can't make that big of difference" "It was the creme puff schedule that inflated your ranking" "The Sioux were never that good". Yet, the reason most cited for the Gopher turnaround from first half to second half is the return of Potulny. Yes, there were other injuries but I've yet to hear anyone say "thank god Tallacksons back". If Potulny can be so goddam important, why can't Hale?

Yikes, this thread needs to get back on track. I hate the Gophers. Not the players - How can you hate young men playing a game just for the love of it? No, I hate the big picture. I used be just indifferent, now I loathe them. My feelings are well founded - developed from two seasons of sitting in the student section at the old Mariucci. Yes, I am a Minnesota grad. Nothing breeds contempt quite like familiarity. I count many, many Gopher fans as close friends. Quite of few of them will say to me from time to time "well, if the Gophs can't win, I'll be rooting for the Sioux". They're lieing. They know it and they know I know it. One of my best friends once told my sister that Sioux titles don't count, because they cheat by using old Canadians. He was adamant that the Sioux had no official national titles. He made her cry. She was 9 years old. I watched the 89 title game with another. The week before, his fiancee had left him and his car was broken into. He figured that given his delicate emotional state that I would join him in cheering for Minny. He was mistaken. That night I performed what is now referred to as the "Crimson dance of death", hence, pipe---goal---defeat. I saw him in the lobby of the X before the title game last year and I assured him that I had no similar Black Bear dance. In fact I did, I was just too scared of getting caught on the JumboTron performing it. To the ghost of Shawn Walsh, I apologize. The only time I have seen Gopher fans cheer collectively for the Sioux is when we play Wisco - that seems only right. (One exception - the 87 championship game. But I think that's only because Sioux fans were so outnumbered at the Joe that the Gopher fans pitied us. I'm sure they regret it.) I've never seen Sioux fans collectively cheer for the Gophers. I wouldn't want it any other way. The day Gopher fans started supporting the Sioux is the same day they have lost fear/respect for the UND program. And vice versa. That should not happen and I doubt it ever will. I trying to be funny here - everything a bit tongue-in-cheek. If I've failed, I'm sorry. I enjoy smack talk and like to think I can take as well as I give. I only things I can't tolerate are pot shots at the Sioux name or Ralph.

I don't recall discussing Potulny at all, nor did I claim to have any special insight to the Gopher program. My point is that Bonin would have turned pro early had in come in as an older player - he was that talented. My other point is that for someone who claims to be "looking forward to the future", you still seem to be dwelling on perceived inequities of the past.

I'm pulling for Senja, but am anxious to see LeNeveu play. I'm surprised, and maybe a bit embarrassed, that Parise made the final 10. Not that he isn't a tremendous talent or didn't have a great freshman season, because he is and he did. But other WCHA players had better years and I feel that David Hale was more important to this year's Sioux than Zach.

While it would be nice, a 2005 regional won't be at REA. The Division II Men's Elite 8 is set for March 23-26, 2005. The regional would be March 25-27. REA's best chance at a regional before the one in 2006 was this year. Minnesota got it despite the fact they are hosting the D1 Regional finals at the Dome the same weekend. Oh well. We should feel thankful to be getting the 2006 regional.

Brad's first goal made ESPN's top five (at #3) for last night. You can see video of it on espn.com if you get ESPN motion.