PCM

MafiaMan, Yes, we are on the same side and I agree with most of what you

At last! You've seen the light!

[sarcasm]Gosh, it appears that you and your wife don't have the proper appreciation for the free educational opportunities provided by Bulldog fans. How is your son going to learn to swear if he's not exposed to the realities of life? [/sarcasm]

I know when I interviewed Zach early in the season, he was very excited about going to the Devils. He thought it was the best possible situation for him. I hope it doesn't change.

Really? Then perhaps you can explain this editorial from the April 23, 2001, Grand Forks Herald: Or this article from the April 18, 2001, Grand Forks Herald: I don't know what his intent was because I can't read minds. But initially, Engelstad gave every indication that it was his intent. It was only after the legislature put conditions on UND's acceptance of the arena and UND appeared to be headed toward dropping the Sioux name that Engelstad changed his plans. The man gave UND an extraordinarily generous gift. It's a gift intended to help Grand Forks recover from the 1997 flood. It creates millions of dollars in economic impact for the city every year. It's a gold mine for UND athletics. It has enabled UND to attract some of the best talent in college hockey. It's a gift that will bring international recognition to the region when the World Junior Championships are here next year. Don't you think Ralph Engelstad deserves some recognition for that?

I know that UMD isn't the same team it was earlier in the season. The Bulldogs are the hottest team in college hockey. To me it's not a question of whether UMD is good, but whether the Sioux will play the way that got them the number-one ranking for much of the season. The series in Mankato sugggests that perhaps the Sioux have returned to form. Even at that, I think you have to give the edge to the Bulldogs because they're on home ice.

A couple of comments: 1. I've attended games in the old Engelstad Arena at which the atmosphere was DOA and never got better. The atmosphere was not always rockin' in the old building. 2. I've attended games in the new Engelstad Arena at which the atmosphere easily rivaled that of the old arena. The atmosphere isn't always museum-like in the new building. 3. It's only natural that merchandise sold at the REA Pro Shop would feature the name of the arena, although not all of it does. Many people come to Grand Forks just to see the arena. 4. Those who want athletic clothing oriented more toward UND can buy it at or order it from the UND Book Store. 5. Ralph has been dead for more than a year, which makes it rather difficult for him to operate his own personal hockey team. 6. The North Dakota Legislature decreed that the new REA had to be self-supporting before the state would accept it. If you want to complain about the commercialization of the Ralph, blame the penny-pinching elected officials of the state. On the other hand, if you're happy that no state or local tax dollars are used to fund the operation of the Ralph, you can thank your penny-pinching elected officials. 7. Not to disagree with YaneA, but I, too, heard the comment containing the F-bomb on Saturday night's radio broadcast of the Mankato game. It was made in such a hostile manner that I had no doubt it was said by a Mankato fan who was angry about the Sioux running up the score. It probably didn't help that Hennessy had been ripping on some of the Mankato fans in front of him throughout the game.

It's good to know that the boys are brushing up on their PR skills.

Yes, they are two different issues, which is why I addressed them in two separate sentences. However, both do fall under the general category of fan behavior. My point is that fan behavior at UND is already under a microscope by the NCAA because of the Sioux name issue. And if you don't think that opponents of the Sioux name won't link the swearing and vulgarity issue to the name issue, think again. Doreen Yellow Bird already has pointed out that there's no way Sioux fans can claim to be honoring the Sioux tribe with their crude behavior at sporting events. While you might not think that UND or any other school could be forced to drop their American Indian nickname, I wouldn't bet against the NCAA. If they wanted to make an example out of a smaller, weaker school like UND (which already has image problems because of its association with Ralph Engelstad) as a means of trying to force bigger schools in line, they certainly could try it. Will they be successful? Who knows? Is it worth the risk? In my opinion, no.

People are missing the point. The NCAA doesn't have to curb student behavior by kicking anyone out of games. It can do it by regulation, such as preventing schools with chronic fan misbehavior problems from hosting tournaments and playoff games. And has everyone forgotten that the NCAA has seriously looked into American Indian nicknames? Do you think they won't revisit that issue if they continue to receive complaints about racial slurs being used by Sioux fans?

Blais has mentioned this a few times before on radio shows. He said Fabian has a fantastic work ethic and spends a lot of time working on his skating beyond practice. Brian Canady mentioned it again when he was Tim Hennessy's guest between periods over the weekend. Brad Berry has spent a lot of extra time working with Fabian. It's clear that he has the type of work ethic that Blais appreciates.

Nice rally by the Bulldogs. With the exception of possibly Boston College, nobody in the country is playing better than UMD.

UMD wins it 5-3.

I wonder if the WCHA keeps stats on waved off goals. I can't ever remember seeing as many as I have this season. If I remember right, it was Mason who waved off an obvious goal with a very quick whistle in the BU-Minnesota game.

What the hell?

And we all know who made it that way.

You just can't put the Bulldogs on the power play. The Sioux will really have to watch this next weekend.

7:25 left in the third.

10:25 in the third.

There is a thread already going for WCHA scores.

Poopie!

Bulldogs tie it 3-3 scoring right off the faceoff on the power play. C'mon Tigers, suck it up!

I said my ESP was working well tonight.

Tigers and Bulldogs are going up and down the ice getting great chances. Both goalies keep making great saves.

Third period is just starting with CC and UMD. Tigers still leading 3-2.