PCM

Exactly. I believe it was Ryan Bayda who said to me after one of UND's lackluster performances during the 01-02 season that nobody should expect the crowd to cheer when their team isn't giving them anything to cheer about. The atmosphere is always linked to the importance of the game, the rivalry between the teams and how close the game is. If there's some drama involved in the form of a rally or trying to hold on while the other team is rallying, that helps a great deal, too.

No, same thing happens to me. Sorry. For some reason, USCHO is doing something to stop people from linking to their pages. I don't know why they're doing that now. They didn't used to. I'll put in some links that go to the proper season. People will have to look up the games and click on the link for the proper recap. That's the best I can do.

I am sick of the "there is no atmosphere at the Ralph" myth. Why some Sioux fans are so willing to help Gopher fans perpetuate this perception is beyond me. There aren't many games I've covered after which I haven't heard an opposing coach or player say that that the Ralph's atmosphere makes it a tough place to play. I'm sure they have no idea what they're talking about, however. Is the atmosphere the same as the old Ralph? Probably not. But then, the old Ralph wasn't always the rockin' place some claim. I attended my share of dead games there, too. Here's my proof that the new Ralph has enjoyed some great crowds and atmoshphere, even when the Sioux lose or tie. Don't tell me that I don't know what I saw and heard. I was at all of these games. 2001-2002 Oct. 19, 2001 Feb. 8, 2002 March 2, 2002 2002-2003 Nov. 29, 2002 Dec. 7, 2002 Jan. 3, 2003 Jan. 4, 2003 March 15, 2003 March 16, 2003 2003-2004 Oct. 4, 2003 Oct. 17, 2003 Nov. 7, 2003 Nov. 8, 2003 March 13, 2004 2004-2005 Oct. 22, 2004 March 12, 2005 2005-2006 Jan. 20, 2006 Jan. 21, 2006 March 11, 2006 March 12, 2006 March 24, 2006 March 25, 2006 2006-2007 Nov. 25, 2006

Keep in mind that buckysieve, once again, is the voice of reason and objectivity here. He has the power to know and understand that which no Sioux fan is capable of knowing or understanding because of the Kelly green blinders we all wear. Also remember that he has personally sat in every seat in both buildings while hockey games were in progress. There is no arguing with him. He is right. It's best just to give in to his superior insight and move on. You can't win.

Gee, if only we could get the arena to play the games, you might have a point.

That's for "special" occasions.

I've read your first chapter:

You should have said something. I could have grabbed a CranGrape out of the fridge before we left.

I think THETRIOUXPER is still upset about not getting his usual stretch limo ride to the Ralph for Saturday night's game.

Yes, they do give tours, but what you see depends on when you're there. Here's what it says on the Ralph's Web site:

Diggler broke The Oshie's thumb!

Actually, yes, I'd agree with that statement. But the truth is, I don't care. It's a wonderful facility and an amazingly genourous gift to UND and Grand Forks. I don't have a clue what its economic impact has meant to the community, but it is no doubt considerable. Plus, it has helped put Grand Forks on the map nationally and internationally. Most people never see the best parts of the arena: the training area, the rehab facilities, the locker room and players' lounge and study area. When you walk through those parts of the arena and see the emphasis on Fighting Sioux hockey tradition and winning, it's not difficult to imagine their effect on potential recruits. So while I might not agree with all the design decisions, there's no way that I can be critical of what Ralph Engelstad did for UND and Grand Forks.

I hate bringing this done with so much of the season left, but it's out there. From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Time for Blues to think forward

Let's be reasonable. Those are more like soccer balls.

Overall, Minnesota is at 86.5% and UND is at 81.7%.

No, that's obviously a fake Toews, too.

Ah, that would be no. There was a grandma down in South Dakota who put the bug about WCHA officiating in Virg's ear about three years ago. You're way behind.

You have your old men misnumbered. The Sicatoka is a pup compared to me. Besides, I already gave props to your studlyness. You're just too hard to please.

Just because the net comes off doesn't mean it's not a goal.

I can honestly say that you're at least on par with Misha and The Hotness from American Idol.

That's the conventional wisdom. But answer me this: If the votes were there for the taking, why didn't Brand put it in the members' hands to begin with? Why does he continue with the charade that the policy was "member driven" when any fool can see that it was anything but member driven? Why didn't he put it to a vote of the membership at the latest NCAA annual meeting? That would have made UND's lawsuit a moot point. Perhaps it's because doing so would be a tacit admission that what Brand and the Executive Committee did was a blatant power grab in direct violation of the NCAA's own constitution and bylaws. Brand has painted himself into a corner and UND's not about to let him out of it. He's relying on the same bluff and bluster that he thought would work back in August 2005: You have to do this because we are the all-powerful NCAA and we said so. I'm glad NDSU supporters find comfort in the knowledge that their university would roll over so easily for the NCAA. I'm also glad that UND is showing some spine in the face of the NCAA's hostility and abuse.

It appeared to me that Jones and Scofield were tied up as they both went to the puck. I'm guessing Mason ruled that Jones was responsible for Scofield colliding with Lamoureux. If Scofield would have collided with Lamoureux on his own, I doubt the goal would have counted. But because he had help from a Sioux player, it counted. I asked Hakstol and Serratore about that goal after the game. Neither of them had much to say about it. They both thought Mason made the right call.

Actually, he said that if the NCAA loses its case on procedural grounds, the association will change its procedures. It's far, far easier for Brand to say that than it is for him to do it. Only time will tell if he has enough members' votes to implement the policy as legislation. And even if he does, that won't put an end to the issue. Because you're operating from the false assumption that it won't help. That's for the courts to decide, not you. I'm sure it does look like that to someone who obviously knows nothing about the lawsuit. That has nothing to do with it. If a court says that the NCAA breached its contract with UND and hurt the university financially by doing so, then the university is entitled to have the NCAA's decision reversed. Are you some sort of legal genius? If so, please enlighten us of your qualifications and the case law supporting your opinion. I'm all ears.

I saw that. Excellent piece. Too bad his career had to be cut short by a goon.