MafiaMan

Spell-check note to self: iPhone word for "Bemidji" translates to "Blemish."

Minnesota's only real shot at moving UP in the PWR went up in smoke this weekend. They're 11-9-2 with 12 of those 14 games against PWR killers Wisconsin (2), Ohio State (4), Michigan State (2), and Penn State (4). Anything less than 12-0 is likely to send them spiraling down further than where they are now.

There is some talk over on GPL that the 4th place team should be "relegated" and not participate in the following year's tournament. I'm guessing that that's just Gopher frustration talking but it would certainly make that 3rd place game more interesting, wouldn't it? With Minnesota as the "permanent host" of the NSCC though, it'll never happen. Or will it? Secondly, would that permanent host school dare bring up the idea of instituting a "Gopher Rule" as a way of maximizing attendance/revenue? It's obviously already in effect on Fridays, so why not make it happen on Saturdays as well?

bale31, I'm glad you're awake already...I'm curious about your opinion on a couple of things...

I'm being somewhat facetious, but folks were beyond peeved at the 5-1 home loss to Bemidji to start the season. I said that Bemidji would be a tough team this season - and they've certainly shown that lately. They now own wins over North Dakota, Minnesota-Duluth, and Mankato, 3 of the top 10 teams in the country, this season.

My sources in the UP tell me that Bemidji State badly outplayed LSSU, not the other way around. Friday's game was a 1-0 loss for the Beavers and they outshot the Lakers 44-26 on the night. The game-winning goal was a PP goal scored at the 19:59 mark of the 3rd period. Yes, with 1 second left in the game. Saturday's game was similar in SOG's - 34 to 18 in favor of Bemidji State. Bitzer did not have a great game though, giving up 4 goals on those 18 shots. LSSU's Gordon Defiel stopped 76 of 78 Beaver shots on the weekend. The Lakers have been playing much better as of late - a lot better than earlier this season.

I can't find my original post but I did have Bemidji and Mankato in the title game. Didn't make a call on tonight's game though.

Wolverines put 13 goals on the board in 2 games against Rumpel.

The worst opposing team to have taken the ice in Grand Forks in a decade is now up 3-0 on Mankato.

Hey, Zane's got a shu...nevermind!

Their BEST chance? It's likely their ONLY chance at this point!

Participation awards for everyone!

Fire up the Traditional Circle of Sticks! That's "TCoS" for those of us in the club.

Beyond the Pond (and I'm paraphrasing except for quoted word): Mankato "validated" its #1 ranking last night by defeating the 20th-ranked Gophers. Beyond the Arrogance, apparently.

Packer fans? Anyone?

One poster over there in the game thread ripped Mankato's weak schedule - totally unaware that Bowling Green, Michigan Tech, UMD, and Nebraska Omaha are all top ten teams.

Big hug, Johnboy!

It won't happen this year...but I would bet that the "permanent host" of the tournament might suggest it as a change next year. Under the guise of "maximizing attendance," of course. BTW, one fan over at GPL did inquire last night about today's game-time and if the "Gopher Rule" was in effect this weekend. MN has it's own gobc too - the Gopher Old Boys Club. It's on the agenda at Monday's meeting at the King of Diamonds in Inver Grove Heights.

I thought the same thing as well - Nelson was down at the 1:33 mark and play continued to 1:13. The first Gopher pass went directly to the area by him on the ice and I already mentioned the Mav player (believe it was the same defender both times) jumping over his leg and then his stick. Kudos to Williams for sticking up for his player and saying "I'll take a penalty shot...just get my teammate off the ice and some medical attention."

What is your take on Nelson being down and play continuing? Twice in that sequence a Mav player had to either jump over his leg or avoid his stick - either time could have resulted in another potential injury or further injury to Nelson. I thought play could have easily been stopped without too much argument.

Doug McLeod: "Nelson is still down...the ref isn't buying it." Had that been Kyle Rau, it would have gone something like this: 'Rau is writhing around on the ice in obvious pain...I cannot believe the ref is letting play continue! Oh the humanity...'

That was a tongue-in-cheek post by Rednek, bale, in reference to Lucia's comment about the age of Mankato's players. Somewhat similar to the company line last spring when some Gopher fans felt a title was a done deal against a school they'd never heard of, then when Union started rolling MN, the discussion turned to how old the Union players were. Nevermind that the two oldest players on the ice were wearing M's on their jerseys...

Rest in peace, Mr. Cub. A sad day for all of baseball.

Johnboy, I take back all that bad stuff I said Bout you...

Fun game to watch, bale31. Very happy for your coach and team.