Big A HG

Is it in our heads about playing teams from out east or what...

Well, maybe this will get things going... "FIRE HAK!"

He's playing on the third line with a grinder in Mario Lamoureux, and a freshman in Brock Nelson. He's tried to do all the work himself instead of getting an offense set up.

GAME ON!

I am pumped. Watching the Sioux play quality out of conference opponents is a blast and a good measuring stick for where you are as a program. I predict a split, but won't rule out a sweep or a winless weekend. Remember, we still have to go through our first half slump.

Last year in the Calder Cup playoffs, I got to check out Rylan Kaip with the Chicago Wolves (against the Milwaukee Admirals). I got to sit right by the Chicago bench that also featured Peter Mannino (who got pulled in the 1st period) and Chris Chelios (the traitor). It was pretty entertaining. The AHL is a good league with a nice, but small, die-hard fan base. I would LOVE to see Tony Hrkac play, but I want to get down to Concordia College where he coaches to see a game of theirs (which is about 45 minutes away from me).

You can only pick a player once per game...so no, you couldn't pick Genoway in round 2 if you picked him in round 1. Yes, once a winner is determined in a game, a new game will commence, and everyone will reset with all players available again. The first game hasn't finished yet, so the rest of us mortals have to wait.

Well, I pretty much finished the wallpaper, but don't have time to make different aspects and then upload before I work tonight, so here is a little teaser for now. Ben Blood welcomes you to November.

Here's my answer to your problem. Google. I'll take anything Leinie's, thank you.

What are you willing to pay?

Shoulda looked before I embarrassed myself. Maybe I'm thinking of 1-year Gopher player Jim O'Brien, but can't remember any incident with a specific Gopher defenseman from that year.

Also, these type of scheduling contracts in the future are exactly what UND needs to do to keep the interest at a very high level for big-time recruits once the BTHC arrives. We've always played good schools anywhere at anytime, but it's going to be even more imperative in the future.

That was an ugly weekend...other than TJ Oshie's huge check on a 6-7 dude (O'Brien, if my memory serves me well, but don't quote me), that sent the guy ass over tea kettle into UND's bench. They played that clip pretty much every week in the pre-game video for the rest of the year.

Was about to say the same thing. You can't take anyone lightly. Parity is a mainstay in college hockey at the moment, and those are going to be some games that could help us in the PWR.

I started the November one about a week ago, haven't spent much time since. I think I'll put in a couple hours before work today, so maybe I'll have something up by then.

This is a split series. I can't remember the last time we swept a top tier Hockey East team in the regular season, and then add the long distance road factor. Also, this is going to be the toughest competition we've seen all year, so that will be another small hurdle for the guys in green. Friday: Maine 4 UND 2 Saturday UND 5 Maine 3 I'll take a sweep, though, of course.

I'd take Mario Lucia on our team if he wants to be here. He'd make a GREAT practice teammate. Players can practice chasing him when he runs away from fights, and when they do catch him he'd make a great punching bag for fighting practice. He can even wear a Gophers jersey during practice to make things even more game-like. Too harshy? Naaaah...

Matt is 22 going on 23 in a couple months...he's been plenty old enough to drink at college since the middle of his sophomore year, so the illegal aspect is out.

Frattin certainly has shown he has Hobey calibre game...but unfortunately for him, if he does continue on a Hobey-like pace, I think he'll suffer in votes because of his off-ice issues. He seems to have cleaned himself up and has re-dedicated himself to the game, but those past issues are still there. The Hobey Baker takes into account the best player on AND off the ice.

I think Kristo and Hextall should be swapped. Both are great players, but I think Kristo's skill set better matches the top line with Gregoire and Knight. Hextall, conversely, matches up better with Brock Nelson and Mario Lamoureux on the third line. The third line is a bit grittier, but can still score. Hextall is exceptional at scoring in dirty places and in open spaces after receiving the puck with after a great pass. Nelson could set up a lot of goals for Hextall and Brett can also match Mario's defensive mentality on that same line. I also wonder if part of Kristo's line placement is because of his off-season mishap...a minor punishment if you will. Not that the third line is bad, but Kristo is coming off an awesome rookie campaign with the accolades he raked in on his World Jr. run last year, so you'd think he'd be on a line with more playmakers like himself instead of one with a grinder (Mario Lamoureux) and a sniper (Brett Hextall).

Drew Stafford and the Buffalo Sabres took on Toews and the Blackhawks tonight. I believe Toews and Stafford were linemates for a good portion of Toews' freshman year (don't quote me, might have to blow the dust off a couple dvd's), so it was a good matchup. Stafford won the stat sheet battle, but Toews and the Hawks won the war. Drew potted a goal and was 3rd star. Toews was scoreless but dominated facoffs winning 16 of 23. Stafford now has 2 goals and 3 assists through 6 games so far, so things are looking up for him this year it appears. Parise and Oshie also tallied assists in losses.

Still hunting for decently priced Wisconsin tickets in the lower bowl. If anyone could point me in a decent direction, that'd be great. I know a guy pretty well (we'll call him Badger Bob), who knows a guy that has season tickets. "Badger Bob" is pretty convinced that he can get the Sioux/Badger tickets from the guy he knows, but I don't want to wait around in case it never happens.

Already up 2-0 in the middle of the 1st against Mankato. EDIT: Now 2-1

There are a lot of characteristics in the new BREC that remind me of the Ralph...at least from a small, grainy webcast view.