kvinbe

Unbelieveable!! He's unconscious!! Keep getting him the puck!! Damn!!

Wow, talk about a bigtime coming out party for Kozek on a big stage. I don't remember him ever having a night like this.

I took a break from sports media for the past few days and quite frankly thought it was a joke when I saw the forum topic about Okposo. Humor me while I add my two cents (I'm sure it's all been said above already). I'm definitely shocked. High status players leave at the end of the year, but I don't recall one leaving in the middle of the year...not without some extremely obvious reason (such as a well-publicized discipline problem -- which is definitely not the case here). I don't care what you think about the Gophers and Don Lucia. This is very bad for college hockey -- very, very bad! Regardless of Lucia's coaching ability, the GM for the Isles has done nothing to dissuade me from believing that he is an absolute idiot. He talks as though the Gophers are a part of an Isles farm system. Talk about arrogant. Without players like Okposa sticking around, the intensity of the Sioux-Gopher rivalry starts to fade with time. And then, even our passion for following the Sioux starts to fade a bit. I can only imagine how we would have felt last year if Jonathan Toews had left mid-season when things were going terrible for him and the team. You can say what you want about UND being a mill for the NHL, but at least (thus far!) nobody has left us mid-year. Like I said, this is really, really bad for college hockey. I certainly don't like the Gophers, but it is because they've been such great rivals for so long. Ironically, this may make it more difficult to beat the Gophers when we see them again later in the year. The players and the coaching staff will definitely have something to prove. Now that I've added some perspective, let me just say that I really dislike Lucia (but in the way that one should always disdain an opposing rival's coach). Now, back to the season. Go Sioux!!!

The UW article that reports that Joe Finley will have to send a written apology to "Bucky" indicates that Joe plays for "North Dakota State." So, apparently, the Joe Finley that plays for UND will not have to write an apology after all. Who would of thunk it, a Joe Finley that plays defense for UND and a Joe Finley that plays defense for NDSU's club team. I'm glad there are two of them, because for a second there I was worried that we were getting some bad press. Seriously though, the only thing I'm wondering at this point is whether or not Bucky wears shin pads. I couldn't tell by looking at the picture of Bucky in the article. If he wasn't wearing shin pads, his shins may still be a bit tender. Somebody better inform Bucky that whacking hockey players on the shin pads is a show of affection, as if to say "good job." At least that's what it means when I'm on the ice. I'm sure Bucky didn't say anything to provoke Joe, and I'm sure Joe was just showing a little affection. Joe simply assumed that Bucky would be wearing shin pads like the rest of his mates. Undoubtedly, Joe will clear up the misunderstanding in his letter. Letter or no letter, I'm guessing that Bucky will skate a large circle around Joe if we happen to meet UW in the playoffs.

Teams don't win championships "on paper." They win championships on the ice and in the win column.

Here we go again. Same thing year-in and year-out. Generally speaking, I don't have a huge beef with the job that Hak has done, but this is getting old. He has to be responsible to some degree for not pushing some of the buttons that need to be pushed. We're not going to be able to build toward a championship if we're expending all of our energy playing catch-up yet again this year. Something has got to change, and Hak is going to have to be the one to get things figured out a little earlier this year. I've been very patient and positive, but these slow starts are really getting old.

A few other possibilities are "Sundogs" or "Flames" or "Fire." Sundogs are a common atmospheric occurence in North Dakota and there are all kinds of possibilities for a logo and a mascot with this name. "Flames" or "Fire" would be derived from the flame that is commonly depicted over the ND symbol on current UND letterhead and apparel. I recall that this flame is a part of our history and tradition, but I don't know the specifics without doing some research. I'm sure one of you out there knows. We could keep the same colors and simply add a red-orange flame to our jersey. We could also get creative and have the "ND" in combination with a colorful overlapping flame.

Of the names suggested thus far, I'm casting my vote for "Fighting Norse." We could keep our traditional school colors and then come up with a profile of a Norseman. I envision something truer to Norse culture than is depicted by the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. The profile would where a helmut and look fearse, but would not have horns (since authentic Viking helmets did not have horns). We could also have a mascot that we would give the name "Thor." It would be nice to see him skating around the ice in competition with Minnesota's Goldy and Wisconsin's Bucky. Best of all, the only people who could complain that it could be hostile and abusive most assuredly would not complain that it is hostile and abusive. I also think it would work well when yelling "Norse" at the end of the national anthem in replacement of "Sioux." Say it a couple of times to yourself. It sounds good. And, if people didn't want to go with a Norsemen for the logo, there would be all kinds of other possibilities to borrow from Norse mythology. I'm definitely not in favor of going simply with North Dakota or Dakota. If it turns out that we're going to need to make the change, then I say do it up right. Also, I'd definitely rather not see anything having to do with the weather conditions or agriculture. North Dakota has enough trouble overcoming stereotypes as it is. I could live with Fighting Calvary or Roughriders, but they wouldn't be my first choice.

I'm very proud of the way that the people of North Dakota (American Indians and people of other cultures) and its leaders are handling this situation. By securing a settlement, our leaders have ensured that this issue will be handled with respect, dignity, and integrity. Our actions are now demonstrating that we are not what the NCAA was depicting us to be. If it's a good thing to keep the name, it will be kept. If it's not, it will go. Thank God cooler heads prevailed. This is one issue where fanaticism has no place. Though the word "fan" is derived from "fanatic," I for one believe that we can be great fans without becoming fanatics. Yes, go Sioux, but first, go University of North Dakota (with respect, dignity, and integrity).

Does anyone out there remember seeing the Bison defeat the Gophers last weekend? Well, if you do, consider this. The Sioux may never even have the chance to play in such games. Even if the Sioux gain the approval of the tribes, there will be many schools who will not agree to play them because of the nickname. Florida State has the support of its local tribe, and yet there are schools that will not schedule them because of their nickname. This isn't a huge deal with a school like FSU that is already well-established in D-I, but for a school like UND that will just be starting the transition, it could seriously delay our development. Hanging on to the nickname will ultimately result in UND's development and reputation being damaged. It's over. The writing is on the wall. I've been a supporter of the Sioux nickname from the beginning. But geez, it's now reached the point of being ridiculous and absurd. It's time to move on. And for those of you out there that think the name should be retained even if the tribes don't agree, I really don't have the slightest clue what the basis is for your argument. The people whose namesake is being used have to have the ultimate say. Anything else would just be plain wrong. If the majority of the tribespeople come forward and say they want to keep the name, in opposition to a few leadeers, then there is a solid basis for keeping the name. We would then be acting out of a position of integrity. That could change the minds of some of the D-I schools out there when it comes to scheduling -- but I doubt it. In the long run, it will only get worse. It's time to look to a future that involves a new nickname. This is now primarily a political process that cannot be turned around. It's time to accept reality and embrace change by moving forward in a positive way as the transition to D-I is made. Case closed.

In summary: (1) The origins of the "Fighting Sioux" name are dubious at best. (2) The NCAA's moral high-ground is nothing but a house of cards. (3) I've been a supporter of retaining the name and using it as a tool for a positive educational end. (4) Its' now become a national issue that is no longer in any way rational, and in which people take sides based on prejudice without any actual knowledge of the circumstances. (5) By continuing the fight to retain the name, UND is now coming dangerously close to tarnishing its national image and subsequently having its student-athletes punished. (6) For reasons that have nothing to do with caving to the tyranny of the NCAA, and for reasons that have everything to do with maintaining the superior standards of UND and ensuring the best playing field possible for UND student-athletes, it's time to change the name. Our future UND student-athletes deserve only the best opportunities at what has always been a top-notch university. So, yes, screw you to Myles Brand and the NCAA, but it's time to make the change.

To me, the logo looks like a man with shoulder-length hair (perhaps hockey hair or a mullet) and a big feminine bow at the top of his head. He also seems to be fond of ribbons (those green swooshes extending from his hair). It's odd and a bit unsettling. Maybe it's an attempt to appeal to the cross-dressing contingent or that old character from SNL named Pat whom you couldn't tell was a man or a woman. I'm afraid the goofer fans are going to have a field day with this one. Other than the logo, the changes are welcome and appreciated. Sorry about the brutal honesty. I love this site, but I think it's time to go back to the drawing board on the logo.

First of all, you make a good point...in retrospect. But, I'll bet that O'Brien didn't beleive he'd be behind Carman at the beginning of the year, and it's also a pretty good bet that (given his credentials coming in) he believed he'd be pushing Okposo for playing time at the beginning of the year. Also, if he's as competitive (and perhaps as lacking in perspective) as many of the top-tier players, it probably didn't sit well with him (or his parents) that he didn't get similar minutes as the other centers. He's probably sitting at home right now thinking that he didn't get a fair shot to prove himself -- whether accurate or not. Of course, that's a risk you take when choosing to be a part of a program like Minnesota. With so much talent, there's almost always going to be an odd-man-out or two. In Lucia's defense, it's his job to play the best team of players available to him, and obviously he has to make some unpopular decisions from time to time in his effort to give Minnesota the best opportunity to win. Lucia doesn't have the luxury of dealing with a second tier of players (with an exception or two) even on his own team. On most teams it's pretty clearly understood that particular players are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of talent, but not at Minnesota. Top to bottom, there is no more talented program in the country year in and year out, and it obviously creates intra-squad unhappiness at times. So, was it the chicken or the egg that came first? Was O'Brien poorly handled by Lucia, or is O'Brien (and his parents) reacting inappropriately to an obvious glut of talent and a bit of cruel writing on the wall? Or, was it little bit of both? In the end, one thing is for sure, O'Brien didn't like the way things were headed this year for his development and he opted out. He obviosuly decided that playing a lot in games, even if at times with and against lesser talent, is better for his development than practicing with supreme talent, switching to D, and then still not getting as much ice time as he would like. Seems to me that both player and coach alike are realizing that the best accumulation of talent doesn't always make for the best team and college hockey experience. Apparently the Minnesota Golden Gopher hockey program isn't paradise afterall. Oh those poor goofs, I feel so sorry for them.

Yeah, the part about wanting maximum playing time seems pretty obvious, but I havn't read anything yet about O'Brien's preferred position. I wonder if the anticipated switch to D with the goofs was a factor as well. Was the switch because he is really better suited to D, or because it was the best way to get him more ice time? If it was just a way to get him more ice time, I'm sure most players wouldn't feel they were being handled well either. I have no clue on this one. Any insiders out there? In O'Brien's defense, he has produced at the highest levels -- including national develpment team and world juniors -- and didn't seem to be getting the same level of opportunity with the goofs. Had to be tough to sit more for the goofs when this hadn't been the case on other loaded teams that he had played for. I certainly don't see the goofs as any more loaded than the other teams he played for, so maybe he was getting a raw deal to some degree with the goofs. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that a talented player stated that he wasn't being utilized properly by Lucia. Phil Kessel's father made some comments to that effect after Phil the Thrill made the decision to depart, and EJ made similar comments during an internet interview this spring. So, perhaps there is something dour about Lucia's management of his players. It's hard to say, but there have been some forboding leaks. I don't know...you make the call.

Wow! Thanks for the help on this. It always amazes me how fast people out there can produce stats. Geez, that's a lot of brothers.

Can someone out there with way more knowledge than me (and perhaps way too much time on their hands) provide us with a comprehensive list of all the brothers who have played for the Sioux down through the years? It says good things about UND and the Sioux hockey program that one brother's experience at UND engenders loyalty in another brother. That talent pipeline just keeps pumping out the prospects. Thanks to anyone who may be able to help out on this one.

All things considered, I definitely would have rather that Lee stayed at UND. It won't be easy to replace his level of talent and experience on the blue line. I certainly would have liked to see more aggression and fight from Brian, but I guess that just wasn't his style of play. That being said, I have to say that I'm a bit surprised at the money he got when you consider how his second year at UND wound down. Of course, if he doesn't play in the NHL the Senators aren't really out that much, and if he ends up being good enough to play in the NHL this year, then I guess he's worth the money. Ultimately, I think this was a win-win for all involved. Lee didn't seem very happy with how things went his sophomore year, the Senators aren't really risking that much, and the Sioux coaching staff and players will probably benefit from better comraderie and chemistry if it is genuinely true that Brian wasn't happy. I wish you well Brian. Thanks for choosing to play for the Sioux. I hope some day you look back at your time at UND as a positive experience in your life.

I'm so impressed with how Toews has consistently made the right decisions about his development, and also about the maturity and class he has shown in how he has communicated his decisions. He's either one highly unusual 19-year-old, has had great parenting, or probably a combination of both. He's consistently taken the next step at exactly the right time. Back when the top players regularly stayed for four years, it would not have been a mistake for a player of Toews caliber to stay at the collegiate level. Given the culture of today's hockey world, it would have been a mistake for Toews to stay now. As a long-standing, hard-core Sioux fan, I feel fortunate that Toews didn't take off last year. Most players of his caliber would have. Though they play different positions, in terms of talent, longevity, and character, I see Toews having the type of career that James Patrick had -- incredibly solid and lengthy. I wish him all the luck in the world, and hope that he can comprehend to even the smallest degree (at this early stage in life) how incredibly fortunate he is. Hopefully he'll stay grateful and humble, and continue to give some of it back. Congratulations and best of luck Mr. Toews. You are definitely living the dream.

I hear what you're saying. I lived in southern Indiana for five years and the summer heat was brutal. The heat turned the grass and leaves a kind of pale yellow, and there was this haze always hanging around. However, the spring and fall were just about as good as it gets. Don't have much for spring and fall in Minnesota. Kind of goes from winter to summer. Or as we like to joke around here: there are two seasons, winter and road construction.

Sweet jersey collection. Thanks for pointing them out. I was out of the region attending grad school during the mid-90s and didn't know about the plain North Dakota jersey. Can't say I'd look forward to that coming back.

Ehn is a senior right? If so, that, along with the fact that he plays for one of the services should make him the favorite. Nonetheless, I'll be doing all I can to send out the positive vibes for Duncan. I don't think it will hurt that he has as likeable a personality as you can get. He's humble, he's earned every bit of credit he's getting, and you just can't beat that top-shelf wrister he has. The high-light reel material alone could bring him home the Hobey. Congrats Duncs!! Go Sioux in Sweet Saint Lou!!

It's truly funny to me how things can be misconstrued. I started this topic simply to offer some observations. What I offered was far from gloating. I live in Minneapolis and regularly play pick-up hockey games with gopher fans. We give each other a hard time in a good-natured way, but it doesn't get out of hand. It's a great rivalry, and the gopher faithful always give me a hard time when I wear my Sioux jersey out on the ice. It's really not a big deal, or anything to be too thin-skinned about. I expect it. The drunken idiots at games...that's another story. I do my best to ignore them -- both the Sioux faithful and the goofer fans. No doubt I'd be coming up with a rationale to soothe my hurt feelings if the Sioux had lost. But they didn't, and now it's my turn to give the gopher fans some good-natured ribbing. Yeah baby!! Nothing more, nothing less. Let's not take ourselves too seriously folks. :

During what years did they wear the plain "North Dakota" jersey?

Good point.

In this article, Bruce Brothers offers up a little bit of everything. It would have been more accurate if he had labeled the article, "Gopher Fans Lick Their Wounds." Without going overboard, he offers some excuses (injuries and illness), gives the gopher fans something to feel good about (regular season and WCHA tourny banners), and offers hope (incoming recruits) amidst possible early departures. http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_5527384 I like and mostly respect Brothers coverage, so I'm not going to bash him, but I have to admit that it is pretty sweet to see gopher fans still struggling to find meaning in their season after a defeat at the hands of a bitter rival. This really is a mortal wound to the gopher psyche. "I mean, it's like, this just doesn't happen to our gophers." "I could take the truth about Santa, but no, no, no...not my beloved gophers...not in the State of Hockey." We're fortunate to still be feeling the thrill of victory instead of the agony of defeat. Three years in a row. We really do have it good as Sioux fans. Another championship and I'll be brimming over....not that there's anything wrong with that. Go Sioux in Sweet Saint Lou!!!