Big A HG

http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/real-america-with-abe-sauer-red-skin-cheer Didn't read the whole thing as it's way too long for me, but noticed a couple regulars mentioned.

You're cool!

So, I've been thinking. For years now, we've been a dump it, chase it, cycle it type offense, and look for opportunities from there. With our depth at forward AND defense, should Hak try implementing more of a run and gun style offense. It seems like every year we get matched up against an East coast school who we are convinced won't be able to matchup with our physical style of play in all three zones, only to lose to a run and gun offense while our offense sits stagnant. We have the skill to run and gun, and the defense to back up any potentital mistakes. I think grinding out all our goals may hinder our offense more than help it this year. However, if teams want to get physical, we are still big enough and strong enough to beat the other team at their own game, if they choose. Drop the puck.

I noticed the WCHA tweaked their logo a bit by making the W in the logo a bit larger. I wonder if this is reflected on the uni's this year. www.wcha.com

Well, if you base Cichy off what he did last year, than yeah it's surprising. However, Cichy was a pretty good looking recruit when he first committed, then seemed to get lost a bit in the speed and physicality of some better hockey leagues. He certainly wasn't terrible last year, but had the skill set. Now, he's a year bigger, faster, and more mature, and is up to the speed of college hockey. Hopefully that bodes well for Mr. Cichy, because if he can show flashes of brilliance, that's one more awesome weapon we have. I still have high hopes for him, and if we can get him in there to play some key roles, he just might wow us a bit. Some might call it wishful thinking that he could be a stud, and those people may be right. But, I'm not going to hold it against a former freshman entering only his sophomore year based on a seemingly lackluster rookie campaign. I think he can fit into a nice 3rd line scoring role that can play a bit of defense too.

I certainly agree with trying to get Simpson playing time, I just don't think you can break up Marto and LaPoint to do it, even for a game. I think it's going to come down to rotating with Forbort, but with Forbort seeing the majority of the chances. You can't sit Mac, Genoway, Blood, Marto, or LaPoint really...and if Forbort continues to play like he did against Manitoba, how do you sit him either? Simpson, as good as he can (and probably will) be, he still did look like a young player trying to get up to speed with the college game. It will be nice if he can come through big when some guys get nicked up, but if everyone stays healthy, I don't see a ton of time for him.

My baseball season ended in late May. Go Brewers

I heard the birds are most easily killed when standing in oncoming traffic, especially if you are from the Twin Cities...

Hextall - Friday Frattin - Saturday

If LaPoint sits for Simpson, I'll eat your other shoe.

The article was a great complement to all North Dakotans. The only thing that scares me is that word may catch on with people from other parts of the country who aren't hard-working or try to come in and implement ideas that are completely opposite of what North Dakota needs. Hoeven for President.

Doesn't look like Vande Velde made the opening day roster. I'm sure he'll get his chance, but it won't be immediately. http://oilers.nhl.com/club/roster.htm Great Toews commercial by the way

Since I didn't see it mentioned, I thought I'd point out that there was one regular-season game already underway this past weekend in college hockey. #4 ranked Michigan took on Mercyhurst and it started out as one would expect. Michigan went up 4-0 in the 2nd period, controlling most of the game. However, Mercyhurst pots a goal going into the 2nd intermission, than runs off 3 more goals in the 3rd period. The game ended in a 4-4 tie.

They've done that every year for the first game of the season as long as I can remember. Things will be back to normal when they return home for their first real games.

UAA - 3 UND - 2 UAF 1 UND - 5 I know UAF is the better team, but I think UND will need some time to get their legs under them up there. UAA wins a close one by keeping it physical, but UND dominates UAF.

The Ralph looks empty, even for a Manitoba game.

If Hakstol ever left or got fired (for reasons unknown), this might be a good successor to him. I like Brian's style.

You said 7-2 in your other thread.

For all we know, it could have been Kristo's first time ever having a drink...not likely, but you never know. What if it was one sip of his first beer ever, and bam, got busted? Does that make him a bad guy? I don't know the situation, so I'll hold off judgment.

So, I went to the Fargo Force game in Green Bay tonight. Got to see Colten St. Clair and Zane Gothberg (warmups only for Zane tonight). It was a rematch of last year's Championship, so both teams were grinding hard. First, Colten was a smooth, quick skater, with soft hands and a quick, hard release. He reminds me a lot of a right-handed Jason Gregoire, except Colten takes faceoffs too. He can be flashy, but more often-than-not, makes the right play. Colten ended up winning the game in OT with a strong move to the net and a nice play to finish. I can't wait to see him play at North Dakota. Zane looked a bit off. Didn't seem to be seeing the puck real well in warmups, but it was only that, warmups. He's still young and will get up to speed with the pace of the USHL, which can be pretty quick at times.

We'll call it a traveling trophy...

Evidence: Kristo Partying Pic

Achorage loses defenseman Kane Lafranchise for the first semester due to academic ineligibility http://www.uscho.com/news/college-hockey/id,18778/AnchorageDefensemanLafranchiseOutforFirstSemester.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+USCHOnews+%28USCHO.com+News%29 A team in the process of building its program takes a pretty big hit with this one considering Kane was their best offensive defenseman last year.

Whether or not Vande makes it this year, I think he'll get his chance. He's a well-rounded player; strong with the puck, not a flashy scorer but can bury it when his opportunities are there, wins faceoffs, and can definitely hold his own defensively. Chris craking the lineup in his first year would be stellar.

Yeah, 1) You can't sit MacWilliam 2) You'd be making it pretty hard on your goalie to have two freshmen on the same D pairing...unless they got caught up to speed quicker than most rookie WCHA Defensemen (which is possible with their skill sets), so I doubt Hak would ever put both on the ice at the same time