Big A HG

Jim, so your chart is saying, if we sweep, we can finish anywhere from 11th to 20th in the PWR, with the most likely finishing spot being about 16th? If I'm way off, please elaborate. Thanks for all your help on the subject.

Well, in the case of Notre Dame, they already have their program in place, it's just a matter of switching conferences...which would be a much shorter process than if a current team without a hockey program tried implementing one. I think PSU or Purdue would be the front runners to join D1 hockey, if it were to happen. This wouldn't be a short process, it's still years off, but if the WCHA gets too crowded, and attendance starts to suffer slightly at programs that could sell out more games against bigger, more well-known rivals, I don't see how that process couldn't go through.

What I said was half a joke. However, I think if they can get to 6 or 7 teams, I think it's doable. If PSU, Illinois, or Purdue were to start hockey, and then the Big Ten as a whole could convince Notre Dame to join for all sports, then there would be some serious potential. Right now there are 5 Big10 teams that play D1 hockey, but like I said, if they can get to 6 or 7, that'd be pretty convincing.

If that's the case, then I want to be the first to contrulage and welcome the soon to be formed Big Ten Hockey Conference!

If we sweep everyone that is currently behind is in the rankings, and split with everyone that's currently ahead of us, we'll end up with 39 conference points. I find it hard to believe that a second half performance like that would keep us out of the playoffs. With 39 points, I think that would be good enough for 2nd place in conference...then throw in a couple losses for Denver, and heck, we can still win the regular season conference. We haven't shot ourselves in the foot too much when it comes to regular season play, just OOC. Let's do it!

That bag is taking us to the promised land 'mama!

What's so bad about it? Do you actually think the Sioux should be in yet?

Anyone know what kind of stats Gregoire put up at VMC when he was there...just for comparison sake?

Also, Waterloo and Fink will be heading up on the 16th and 17th I believe. That's this weekend, so for those that won't be at the games in Houghton, or watching 'em on the internet, this might be a good option. I would like to make it down...maybe Friday.

Being that Tech is going to clog things up, we have to take advantage of our power play oppurtunities. MTU averages the least amount of penalty minutes per game in the WCHA, so converting on our chances is going to be important.

Looks like the Gophers should recruit that guy....at least he's willing to drop 'em.

Team of the week is nice for now, but I want to see a Team of the Year before I graduate (meaning this year). The guys deserve this one though...

Good high school and junior play doesn't always translate into good WCHA/NCAA play. I'm not going to consider him anything other than a very good goaltender in a league different than that of UND. I'll give him props when he performs well at the next level.

Well then there goes that nickname idea....

That's Jonesy's lesson of the day.

Martens, although improved, is still only an average player for a big D1 perennial contender....and Duncs is only a year older than a typical senior. Plus, a comment like that implies that we got these huge bearded Canadian backwoods boys that are out there just to rough it up. Neither Duncan nor Martens fit that billing. However they want to look at it is fine with me. I'll take two butt whoopin's instead of having to come up with excuses the entire week before the next games.

On a side note for next years Gopher series at The Ralph, Who would agree with me that it would be awesome to get Michael Buffer to do intros next year at the Friday game. For those that don't know who Michael Buffer is, he is the voice that does "Let's get ready to rumble!" A high school from near where I'm from did this for a big rivalry basketball game. Granted, they didn't have Looker as their main guy, but how could you not want to do something like this as a one time deal. The high schools paid for nearly the whole ordeal just by selling t-shirts to people who attended the event. I think UND could pull something like this off with ease. Heck, I think they could even make money on the deal. How great would it be to have the intensity (that always results in a boxing match or three) with a boxing legend attending? Just a thought...

I hope the Ralph brings out the disco ball for a nice slow dance...you know...so the guys and the cows get to know each other a bit better between whistles. Yeah...I'm a sucker for a good fight. "LET'S GET IT ON!" First, let's beat the 'poop' out of two different kinds of Huskies and some Pioneers too.

Hey Goon... Don't you think 'Moron Are Us' is a bit of an understatement...?

He flat out doesn't know an intentional cross-check when he thinks he sees one. In Saturdays game he complained of Malone cross-checking over and over again during a scrum and re-watched it like 3 times and saw no such thing. Other than that and being a homer (which he should be), he's fine.

That's a great description. I think Houghton has one stop light, despite it's decent size. And I don't know how people can stop their cars in the winter time on those banks. I heard their announcer is a creeper.

I was responding to how CC/UAA/DU get there. I would hope that's still not the case.

I did mention that. My question was more asking where he'd be playing instead of Minnesota. Or, is he Minnesota worthy? He doesn't fit the mold, IMO, of a typical Gopher player...which actually makes him a good addition, one they probably wouldn't make if tDon wasn't the head of the horse.

Keep in mind, we already lost to this team, resulting in North Dakota owning 20% of Tech's wins this year. I don't see that as a bad thing. I see it as motivation for this team. The boys won't have forgotten that game when the puck drops Friday.

Travis was a guy you couldn't pass up, Darcy is a good guy to fill a roster spot with, but isn't going to light it up. It may depend on how many spots we need and how many recruits of ours are available at the time. I don't think Hak & Co. will be quick to sign him, but I do think they'll be more apt to fill a needed spot with a someone from the Sioux family versus someone else, assuming Nolan is D1 capable.