PCM

Concordia University is located in Montreal and the team's name is the Stingers. Here's a link to their hockey Web site: http://web2.concordia.ca/Rec_Ath/intercoll.../default_m.html Last season, the Stingers finished fourth in their four-team league. They played 24 league games and were 8 points behind the third place team. Their opening game is an exhibition against Bemidji State Friday night. That should give us an indicaiton of how well they'll do against the Sioux.

I don't work at the Ralph. I serve as the arena reporter for US College Hockey Online, which means that I cover all the Sioux home games.

No, that's not it. I could pay my way into the games, but without media credentials, the REA wouldn't let me shoot photos from the best spots. For decent access, I need to represent a media outlet or some other entity recognized by UND. They won't allow people to simply wander around shooting pictures during games. Besides that, if I pay to attend a game, I'm going to sit and watch it just like everyone else. I should also point out that the games aren't really free to me. I work before, during and after every game, and get get paid nothing for it. But I don't mind because I enjoy the association with Sioux hockey and the opportunity to talk to the players and coaches.

If I had my way, I'd do nothing but shoot hockey photos and leave the recap writing to someone else. Sports photography is what I enjoy doing most. But the fact is, it's recap writing that gets me into the games. That's why writing wins out over photography.

I might shoot some pictures this season, but not nearly as many as last season. Photographing games and writing recaps are incompatible activities. Doing one makes the other much more difficult and adds a lot of extra work. There are other factors involved, but I'm not going to into them here.

I could be wrong, but my impression from the coaches show was that Blais intended to sit Prpich for the Concordia game, too.

I forgot to metion that on tonight's coaches show, there was a comment made about recruiting young players. I believe it was Tim Hennessy who said something to the effect that they didn't want to discuss that because then they'd have to sign affidavits. From that, my guess is that the problem of last season stemmed from the comments made about Sydney Crosby on the coaches show.

It is most definitely the case. Have you ever noticed how many "guests" are reading this board? There are many people who read the messages here who don't register or participate. I know from the e-mails I receive from Sioux parents that many of them read this board. We've also had parents chime in from time to time with comments. Never think that what's posted here stays here. It doesn't.

I agree. I have had people tell me that I shouldn't post certain things that Blais says during the coaches show. But who am I? The babysitter? How can I possibly know everything that's going to cause problems for him? Usually, you don't know that something is controversial until after the fact. And that often happens when comments are taken and used out of context. I can't stop that from happening. It's not up to me to prevent the coaches from saying things that might get them in trouble. After all, Grand Forks is right on the border with Minnesota and I'm sure the coaches show can be heard by more than a few fans of Minnesota teams.

Disclaimer: This is a summary of the weekly Fighting Sioux Coaches Show. It is NOT a verbatim transcript of the show. Comments by the show

Cool story about Roche and Risebrough.

According the the trusty USCHO archives, you are correct. My bad.

I'm probably in the minority, but I agree with DaveK.

I believe it is. Don't forget, it was the U of Manitoba Bison that took the Sioux into overtime during the season that UND won its last championship. Hey, it's an all-Canadian team. They have to be good, right?

You wouldn't think so. But last season, someone lifted a paraphrased comment out of a UND coaches show summary and posted it on another fan site's message board as if it were a direct quote from a Sioux coach. (Could this be the cause of the problem "kr" described?) There's no way to stop someone from taking words out of context, presenting them as something they're not or spinning them to mean something other than what was intended. I realize that Sioux fans who don't get to hear the UND coaches show value the summaries that I and others post here. But when I read about the problems it can cause, I really have to wonder if it's a good idea. I don't want to cause legal problems for the team or the coaches, nor do I want legal problems for myself as a result of something I post here. It's just crazy. It really is.

I'm expecting PETA to protest the REA polar bear mascot.

There's a good interview with Tim Hennessy in the new Sioux Illustrated. He thought he was all set to become the voice of the New Jersey Devils until some other broadcaster took the job for less than what he said he'd take.

Interesting, kr. I wonder if all that trouble had anything to do with mentioning UND's recruitment of Sydney Crosby?

He knows the F word, so at least he has a good start.

Hey, you try typing from the floor and see how easy it is.

Hold on. I just fell of my chair and I can't get up.

I got an e-mail from Scott Hennen this afternoon. He said he plans to do the announcing at all Sioux home games this season.

I really don't mind Woog's color commentary. Sometimes he makes very good point points. Sometimes he's funny on purpose. Sometimes he's funny when he doesn't mean to be. And, yes, he's biased toward the Gophers, but I don't know why that should surprise anyone.

My thought is that you should stop telling everyone what a great deal this is.