PCM

Sweet!

Speaking of lack of scoring, here are some stats to consider. By the time UND plays CC, it will have been more than a month (8 games) since a Sioux defenseman scored a goal. Since Dec. 16 (the first game against Bemidji), UND's defensive corps has 1 goal and 15 assists (16 points) in 12 games. In the 18 games before that, the Sioux D-men had 9 goals and 25 assists (34 points). In other words, the Sioux defensive corps has gone from averaging nearly two points a game and a goal every other game to contributing a little over 1 point a game and one goal every 8 games. That's not what I would've expected.

That is their misfortune.

I reject the notion that the students at REA are somehow getting the short end of the stick because they're not allowed to stand for the entire game and engage in profane cheering. UND students were given prime seating in the arena because they asked for it. They also pay a fraction of the cost to attend games that everyone else pays. Those aren't insignificant benefits. Nobody I know objects to where the students sit or to their student discount. Nobody I know wants fewer students at the games or expects them to make less noise. The students are merely being asked to adhere to minimal standards of socially acceptable public behavior, the same standards that apply to everyone in the arena. In exhange for what the students are getting, it's not an unreasonable request. We shouldn't have to bribe students to get them to act civilised any more than I should expect a bribe to remain quiet in a library.

I can understand that. My brother used to teach at Minnesota-Duluth and still considers himself a Bulldogs fan. That's why I hate it when the Sioux lose to UMD.

Yup. Professional.

I go with anyone who gives me money.

There are some important similarities: Both teams were coached by Dave Hakstol, Brad Berry and Cary Eades. Both teams had Jordan Parise and Philippe Lamoureux in goal. Both teams had Matt Smaby and Kyle Radke on defense. Both teams had Drew Stafford, Travis Zajac, Rastislav Spirko, Chris Porter, Mike Prpich and Erik Fabian playing regularly as forwards. Other than that, you're right. It's difficult to compare a veteran team with a young team. For all I know, the inexperience on this year's team could cause it to falter at a time when last year's team peaked. But in spite of their youth and inexperience, the 05-06 Sioux are ahead of where last year's team was at this time. They are better offensively and very close to where last year's team was defensively, and that was an outstanding defensive team. I see that as more reason for optimism than despair.

Virg is a free agent. He can write for whoever he wants. It is. I've done it for USCHO and the Rocky Mountain News.

Last season after 30 games, the Sioux were 15-12-3 overall and 10-11-1 in the WCHA. Practically everyone wrote off the Sioux after they were swept at home by DU. This season after 30 games, the Sioux are 17-12-1 overall 10-10-0 in the WCHA. They have the same number of points in the league, despite having played two fewer league games. Here are some more interesting stats comparing this year's UND team to last year's team after 30 games: 2004-2005 Overall 2.73 goals for per game 2.50 goals against per game WCHA 2.45 goals for per game 2.45 goals against per game 2006-2006 Overall 3.23 goals for per game 2.50 goals against per game WCHA 3.50 goals for per game 3.05 goals against per game There are two major differences between last year's Sioux team and this year's Sioux team. This year's team is much better offensively, averaging a goal per game more in the WCHA. It hasn't played as well defensively in the league. But given the youth of the defensive corps, that stat shouldn't be much of a surprise. I am surprised that overall, this year's goals against average is the same as last year's after 30 games.

Nice sarcasm, but you're conveniently ignoring a few facts. SCSU tied Wisconsin and played them tough when the Badgers were flying high. They've defeated Minnesota and Denver. The Huskies also beat and tied Colgate, the team currently leading the ECAC. I hate getting swept at home as much as anyone, but SCSU isn't a bad team.

I do think that under Hakstol, the Sioux play a more defensive style of hockey than they did under Blais. I also think there are some philosophical differences between Blais and Hakstol that are reflected in their coaching styles. However, last season under trying circumstances, these same coaches and that same style of hockey got the Sioux into the championship game of the Frozen Four after many had written them off. Give it a chance. The season's a long way from over.

Aren't the real racists those who automatically associate the word "savages" with American Indians?

Then I guess you haven't seen that many games. Two goals in about a minute and a half in the first period against Northeastern. Three goals in the first period against Denver. Two goals in the first 2:14 against UMD. Three goals in the first period against the Huskies at St. Cloud. Three goals in the first period against Bemidji. I thought the Sioux had all the jump they needed against SCSU Saturday night. Heck, they outshot the Huskies 17-10 in the first period. It was the most first-period shots on goal the Sioux have produced all season. I'd be more concerned about the Sioux if they'd played two bad games against SCSU and lost by lopsided scores. But they didn't. They played well Friday and lost. They played even better on Saturday and lost. Without two lucky SCSU bounces Friday and a questionable goal, we'd be talking about Lamoureux's great 1-0 shutout victory. On Saturday, if the Sioux could have gotten a puck past Goepfert one on of the multiple great chances they had in regulation, we'd be talking about a 2-1 win and our second straight home sweep. Like it or not, Goepfert was the epitome of the hot goalie for this series. The trouble with hot goalies is that they eventually cool off. And if your team depends on a hot goalie who gets injured, ask Mike Eaves how much fun that is. Bob Motzko was 100 percent correct when after Saturday's game he said that you can't start looking too far ahead in the WCHA. You just have to take it one game at a time because things can change in a hurry.

Good points, redwing77. I agree.

From ESPN.com: Arkansas St. holding off on appeal over nickname ban Don't you just love the confusion the NCAA creates by how it operates? When it turns down or grants an appeal, it lets the whole world know. But when it retreats from its position and grants all schools on its list an exemption until April 27, it doesn't tell anyone. Thus, we get these confusing stories.

It's not your estimation I'm worried about. You don't sign my USCHO pay checks. Wait... I don't get any USCHO pay checks. Do you have any inflamatory material for Saturday?

So you claim.

From ESPN.com: NCAA rule forces Chowan to drop Braves mascot They are not worthy.

From the Associated Press: School's Name Change Doesn't Satisfy Some There are some people who can't be pleased any of the time. Apparently American Indians now have the exclusive right to the word "savage."

I wouldn't do it even if I could. I can't take the risk of jeopardizing my sudo-journalist status.

Uh, yeah, North Dakota is the only team in the league that plays cheap. Check out the latest WCHA Notebook at INCH:

I've heard many complaints from the students. Some of them I agree with. Some of them I don't. But they have absolutely nothing to do with whether students should adhere to minimal standards of socially acceptable public behavior. It's like me saying that I can't be expected to drive the speed limit on the Interstate until the highway department fixes all the bumps. Or what if I said that until the state pays me for driving the speed limit, I'm going to speed? None of these things have anything to do with each other. The law is the law, regardless of whether the road is bumpy, the center lines need painting, the ruts are worn or the Highway patrolman is impolite when he gives me a speeding ticket. None of those problems are justification for my speeding. The students simply use these "they don't listen to us" or "they don't treat us nicely" or "they don't give us any alternatives" excuses as rationalizations to continue doing somemthing they shouldn't be doing in the first place. That approach is never going to fly with me. Sorry. Not really. Being on the other side of the arena and in the press box, the standing problem never bothers me. But I've experienced it in other venues, so I know how those whose view is blocked feel. I'd be angry, too, if I were in their seats. The profane cheering bothers me because it reflects poorly on UND and Grand Forks. And because I work for UND and live in Grand Forks, I am concerned about the image the university and the community projects to the outside world. The students, who claim that they are a major part of the community and are the reason the university exists, should care about it too. They'd be taken more seriously if they did.

Me too. Where can I buy a CD?