DAR

Agreed 100%. A national championship is one thing that money cannot buy.

Smaby will be next followed by Stafford. Those are some big shoes to fill. It is so frustrating as a Sioux fan. We had a chance to have a dominant team next year but the loss of our top center is a big loss. Especially since I think most people would have leaned toward him likely coming back for his junior year. Not too many players leave after two years, although with the new CBA who knows this will probably be a lot more common.

Smaby will need time in the AHL. He sure didn't look NHL ready when he got schooled by BC's Gerbe. We shall see.

That's highly debatable.....especially since half the Sioux roster will be gone.

That really stinks. Man I thought we would at least get 3 years out of Zajac. That really puts a hole in the roster for next year. I hate this time of year and I hate the Devils. Looks like we will need another center maybe two once Toews bolts.

HA HA...yeah maybe if you put another four zeros on the end of that they might take you up on that.

Losing Zajac would be a killer. All these early departures SUCK....The days of a veteran team are over. One maybe two years and done. Who's next? Toews? Oshie? Hell, I guess they all might as well leave.

I don't know about Howe and Chucko on that list. They both had pretty lousy year's in my opinion. Wheeler was not all that great either considering his draft status. Hirsch is a big question mark, who knows if he will be back or not and if he is as effective as before. The Goofs have some big shoes to fill but I agree they will be better on D if all the players expected show up in the fall and Hagemo returns (another big if) with the bad shoulder.

Now that's the spirit. I will be leaving MSP at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning. Can't wait to see my first frozen four live and in person. Should be a good time especially if the Sioux can pull off #8. Anything less will be a buzzkill!!

Hopefully we can hang a banner because I have a bad feeling that as soon as this weekend is over the mass exodus will begin. It's just a matter of how many. It sucks for college hockey fans but this is the way it is going to be and the new CBA is bad for college hockey.

According to the GF paper today the Sioux are staying at the Wyndham hotel downtown. Address etc. can be found online.

Yeah but one slight problem....early departures....I have a feeling the Sioux are going to be hit hard....That is why we have to get #8 while we have this opportunity.

Maybe Kessel will be in the stands and toss a puck on the ice. Woog would certainly give him an assist for that.

HA HA HA....had to laugh out loud on that one!!!

We'll see if Schneider can stand up to the pressure. I have not seen him play this year except in the World Junior tourney where I thought he was average. BU and Miami of Ohio do not have the firepower of North Dakota when the Sioux forwards are buzzing and applying pressure. It will be a tight game but I think if we can stay away from needless penalties we will have an advantage 5 on 5.

Let's hope the boys are ready....48 hours from now someone's season is going to be very close to being over as it will be sometime in the 3rd period. LET'S GO SIOUX....LET'S GO SIOUX.....LET'S GO SIOUX....DROP THE PUCK......Can't wait to get to Milwaukee, leaving Thurs morning at the crack of dawn from Mpls. Unfortunately, not by chartered jet however. I will point my car east and put it on autopilot.

Who said "It was the best moment of my life when Holy Cross scored in OT" boy that is quite a stretch. Not too many good things have happened if that is the best moment of someone's life. I am sure there was some tongue n' cheek involved. Thanks for the comments.

If Kaip gets the first goal I would think that would be a sign of good things to come. How about Brad Miller....first of the year eh' !!! GO SIOUX...Is it Thursday yet. These two weeks have seemed to last forever.

I am going to go with Duncan. Toews and Stafford are going to get a lot of attention on that line so Ryan should have some room to snipe one. He has a quick, accurate shot.

Yeah I am sure those are very familiar names to the Golden One's. Maybe that was part of the reason their season came to a crashing halt!!

Rumor has it Eric Johnson is going to North Dakota. He is supposed to be the next Erik Johnson.

HA HA HA way to go....

E Johnson will have an immediate impact. Zach Jones has adjusted very well to the WCHA and E Johnson is a lot more talented than Zach Jones both come from the US development team. No disprespect to Zach as I think he has done well but Erik Johnson is a very good defenseman too bad he is going to be a Goofer and will be the enemy. In my opinion he will have an easy transition to the WCHA.

Hockey in HD is awesome. The Sioux Denver game last year was great in HD. Except of course for the final score. Luckily, this year I will be present at the Bradley Center but if you get a chance to watch the game I would definitely recommend watching it in HD. There is a big difference versus the regular broadcast.

I think he would fit in quite well in the mob!!