PCM

Don't forget 2000. That's the year when a seemingly unstoppable Wisconsin team had the number of a very good UND team during the regular season. But when the playoffs came, the Sioux peaked at the right time and the Badgers didn't even make it to the Frozen Four.

That's great advice, redwing77, but old habits die hard. I think the visiting tribal leaders will hear what many other visitors to the REA hear and will have the same reaction to it -- if not even more negative. I'd love to be proven wrong, of course.

Here's a paraphrased summary of Hakstol's post-game comments: Skill level was the difference. MTU came out with desparation. We didn't play a great first period. The Huskies played well and deserved better. Jordan played great. Stafford's short-handed goal was big. We started to dictate the game in the second period. Once it went to 3-1 it took away their intensity. There were some great goals scored. Along with the skill is that we're scoring goals by going to the net. We're having guys go to the net and guys taking it to the net. The goal Toews finally scored was just like one he put off the post earlier in the game. He was flying out there. Made a lot of things happen and played very well. Jordan Parise was the difference in the first period. We did a good job of weathering the storm. He had some tough saves on shots from the top of the crease. He continued to play strong even through the third period. It doesn't matter what the situation is. He never wants to let the puck in. Taylor Chorney was very good. Brian Lee was quietly good. Matt Smaby isn't at 100 percent. He's playing through a couple of things, but he's doing what a good captain does. I picked Wisconsin early in the year. They're a complete team right out of the gate while the rest of us are building and trying to find combinations. Minnesota will come to the Ralph hungry after getting beat up by Wisconsin. We have some things to prove at home. We've played some good teams at home and we haven't had some of our best nights at home. But it's our building and we need to play well there. It's our last WCHA series before the Christmas break. Those are important points.

That's the game. Sioux get a nice 8-2 victory and a road sweep. I would have been happy with the Sioux being 4-2 during their six straight road games. 5-1 is terrific. On to the pesky Gophers!

Finley to the penalty box. About 2 minutes left.

I did see it. I'm finally able to watch the Tech Webcast.

Hat trick for STafford!

I just want this game to get over with nobody getting hurt and nobody getting a game DQ.

No. He got two minutes for holding and two for unsportsmanlike conduct. It sounded like he was also going to get a 10-minute misconduct, but apparently he didn't because he was back on the ice after serving the two penalties.

Watkins scores!

Chorney must not have gotten a misconduct. My mistake.

This game could get ugly if the officials don't get it under control.

Chorney gets called for checking Chris Connor. Looks like Chorney will get an usportsmanlike conduct. Chorney gets 2 for holding, two for unsportsmanlike conduct and a 10-minute misconduct.

Wow. Penalty on MTU. UND gets its first power play of the night.

Smaby scores off the face-off. It's 6-2 UND.

Third period under way. It's 4-on-4 for 1:13. Toews nearly scores right off the face-off.

I think it's typical WCHA situational officiating.

How can Tech play so chippy and the Sioux get no power plays out of it?

Tech scores on the power play. It's UND 5, MTU 2.

How about two? Chorney gets called for high sticking.

Toews scores! 5-1 Sioux! Great move by Toews!

No kidding.

Kozek scores off Taylor Chorney's shot from the left point. Sioux lead 4-1. Kozek tipped it in. It's Andrew's second goal of the night.

C'mon, Drew, get the hat trick! Is MTU ever going to get called for a penalty?

Let's get another one and really take the wind out of MTU's sails.