PCM

I posted a SiouxSports.com gallery of photos I shot at Saturday's football game. http://siouxsports.com/hockey/galleries/119.htm

As I've said before, they tell us practically nothing about injuries. I'm not going to say any more about Oshie's injury than Hakstol is willing to say about it.

I'm thinking the NCAA gave the Sioux all the motivation they need to break the curse.

A healthy Oshie and Toews would help a great deal. I know Oshie's injury has to be affecting his play. I don't know about Toews, but he just doesn't look the same as he did before he got injured.

I agree. And I also think people should realize that for each year he's been here, Hakstol has started the season with a team that was a great deal different from the season before. It takes time to find the right combinations and build chemistry. This is still a young team with a great deal of maturing to do. There was no doubt that this year's Sioux team would have to rely heavily on Toews and Oshie in the early going, but both of them have been bothered by injuries. Having Lamoureux was supposed to give Grieco more time to develop. That didn't work out, either. And we're now seeing just how much our young defense relied on Jordan Parise to back them up with his solid, consistent play game after game. Nobody should be happy about the outcome of the UAA series. I'm sure Hakstol and the coaching staff aren't. I'm sure none of the players are. But there's a long way to go in this season and a lot can change between now and March.

From the Herald & Review (Decatur, Ill.): U of I should make Chief Illiniwek's case in court

Time for bed.

Whoa. Thanks. I'd already said his name twice.

I didn't think so. I saw two guys going after the puck and both were pushing and shoving with their sticks up. How only Watkins ends up with a penalty is beyond me. Two ticky tack calls in a row.

Thanks, Derek.

I would say something about officiating, but I don't want to give The Donald an excuse to come back and call us all boobs.

Well, you were quite hostile and abusive.

2-2 after two.

I was close. Do I get half a DVD?

13-13

Yeah, but I got a picture of you in your sweet coat.

Miller should have the first assist. I'm not sure about the second one.

Crap. Fabian didn't look very good going off the ice.

Just remember that UAA sucked last season. You might find out differently when Minnesota plays them this season.

Now we're beating the second-period jinx. Go figure.

Toews was in the right circle and hit Chorney with a pass as he pinched in from the point. Chorney fed Duncan standing at the back door. Great puck movement and passing.

Word is that he's quick every night.

That was a beautiful goal. Nothing Lawson could do about it.

And the second period problems continue...