Big A HG

Every year we come up with a way to justify a repeat of a past championship season...

I didn't say that if you had those types of players you are guaranteed a spot in the title game. I said that it seems like you need a couple of those guys to put you over the top when you do get there. Different thinking.

How different was college hockey then? Teams need a little star power these days to have a chance at that title.

Judy's? Sorry, couldn't resist...

Yes and no. Yes, because it would be safe to assume those players have more natural talent than others. No, because you have to: a) use the players the right way, b) have a balance of players that fit the system you are trying to incorporate Minnesota and Wisconsin have had some great draft classes many of the past seasons. Our last great draft class was the one that just graduated (albeit they were drafted in different drafts). Look at where UW and UM were when the playoffs rolled around this past spring. Also, keep in mind, Ryan Duncan put up stellar numbers before coming here, yet remained undrafted. Your odds are very against you in becoming another Ryan Duncan, but maybe Mattson can be a second coming. I know he can still be drafted next year, but I still find it very strange that a team didn't burn a late round pick taking a chance on him. It really shows that there's something behind the scenes, in my opinion.

I took some pics of the storm....as always they turned out worse than I wanted. I have a not-too-special point and shoot camera (7.1 MP) I'll see if I can get around to posting a few.

I'm in the air as to whether or not I like it. It's different, that's for sure.

I wonder if there is something going on behind the scenes with Mattson that the coaches here and NHL teams know about. I mean, everyone predicted him to be a 3rd-4th rounder and a lot of people thought he was ready to jump in here for 09-10. It makes you wonder if there is a mystery injury, personality issue, or just flat out bombed at the combine. I would think it would be hard for a team in the later rounds to pass up what everyone thought would be a 3rd-4th rounder if there wasn't something wrong.

I understand where you are coming from with the UNO comment....but.....(without Blais) which team do you think would be more successful in the WCHA? With Blais it's definitive that UNO will likely be the better team, but even without, I think UNO would still place higher than BSU. The reason I say that is you make it seem like BSU is a better team, and therefore a better fit, for the WCHA based on your comment about UNO being a perennial 6th place team (which is even high by their past standards).

We can put it right next to our DQ Cup

Wow, Siouxsports must be setting records for mid-summer troll numbers.

As much as I despise all things Minnesota (even those outside of hockey), Xcel is the only place for the Final Five (or whatever it is in the future). It's a great central location (as good as it gets), in a strong hockey fan base, in a very populated region, in a facility that is first-class with plenty of seats. There's no need to change. Not even to Milwaukee. The Pepsi Center would be another comparable alternative to Milwaukee, but that as well would fall well short of what they do in St. Paul. When you have so many teams in/near Minnesota, having the tourney in Minnesota is the only logical money-making location.

That's laugh out loud funny right there...

I wouldn't expect any changes, unless Eids grabs numero uno.

Following the NHL Draft and player's status' isn't one thing I do, but I would have to imagine it will help Rodwell's chances seeing as he's coming here.

It's true! We slaughtered a bunch of people from the U of M in our barn this year...it's nice to finally see accurate reporting on a national TV station.

Nice...always good to have connections at the junior level, so we shouldn't lose anything by losing Blais.

Are they showing World of Outlaws tonight live on like the MidCo channel or anything? Or, does anyone know any live feeds on the internet? I didn't feel like shelling out a bunch of cash for it tonight, so I'm passing. Sorry for posting in the hockey forum. Figured I'd get a better chance at a response before the race starts tonight if I posted here. Mods can delete later tonight.

Roger that....

Whoever said you did play for NDSU?

Gettin' somewhere now! June 19!

Shouldn't they be the Florida State Semi-Trucks by now...? [instead of the Seminoles]

Either way....UND hockey will still exist, so you'll still have the opportunity to cheer for them. You are a Sioux hockey fan, right? I mean, why would someone waste their time on a different school's fan forum, especially when their favorite school doesn't even play sport...? MplsBison, nominated most loyal Bison, Sioux hockey fan.

That's the guys version.... To bring more money in, all girls will be mandated to the olympic pools where they must wear white shirts and follow the same procedures....spectators allowed for $20 a head.

Welcome to June