MafiaMan

That's an inside joke, cavedurtis. In 1997-1998 while on a trip to Sault Ste Marie to see Lake Superior State play Michigan, I wore my Sioux jersey. Several of the players took notice of this as they took the ice before the game since I was standing right next to them. After the game, my friends and I went to a local establishment and I got to meet Red Berenson and Marty Turco along with the entire Michigan team. I wished them good luck, not realizing that a short time later, our teams would meet at Yost Ice Arena. I'm hoping Red didn't poster-ize me and tell his team in his pre-game pep talk "remember that a-hole with the Sioux jersey in Sault Ste Marie? He's in the crowd tonite...let's send him home crying."

And I told your buddy that if the camera pointed at you, jersey pop or not, he had MY permission to punch you in the face.

I've said it before already...Hakstol just needs to dust off that 1998 regional tape and show that to the Sioux players. He**, he should show it to the Sioux FANS, too. Michigan used the regional well in 1998 and 2002 to advance to the Frozen Four and Minnesota took advantage of the home ice in 2004. It's UND's turn now.

I concur, jloos. I looked at the Crusaders' schedule and didn't see anybody noteworthy. I was stunned that Bemidji was the 16th team when looking at Holy Cross sorry performance against teams of at least some stature: If you consider Darthmouth and RPI as quality teams.

Your FRONT? I was waiting for the DJ to start playing the new Kevin Federline smash hit "Popo Zao." Hint: Look up the Portugese translation.

I thought your dignity was lost a long time ago.

Tatt on your neck? I have the old Blackhawk on my back shoulderblade. Awesome that every captain says UND has the best logo.

1997...Sioux win WCHA Final Five which propels them into the tournament...where they go on and win it. 1998...Sioux stumble in WCHA championship game and lose to Denver...then are promptly bounced out by BC in the tournament. 2000...Sioux win WCHA Final Five which propels them into the tournament...where they go on and win it. 2001...St Cloud wins WCHA Final Five...and then is bounced in the first round of NCAA's a week later. 2002...Denver wins WCHA Final Five...and is eliminated by Michigan in second round of NCAA's. Gophers upset in WCHA Final Five title game go on to win NCAA title. 2003...Minnesota rolls in WCHA Final Five playoffs...and steamrolls to another title. 2004...Denver doesn't even make Final Five...Minnesota wins playoff. End result? UMD defeats Minnesota a week after losing 7-4 and Denver goes on to win NCAA title. 2005...Denver wins WCHA Final Five playoff title...and NCAA title. What's it mean? Who knows. Looks like teams have used it as a spring-board of momentum towards bigger things while others have turned losses in the Final Five (or not even making the Final Five) into national championships. My opinion? After giving up 12 goals in 2 games this weekend, one would think that even sunny Don Lucia (although he says otherwise in the paper today) is a bit worried about his team. They're 0-4 in their past four Final Five games. I'd rather be in the Sioux shoes today in terms of confidence level.

Uh huh. You're...too sexy for your beer...too sexy for your beer...

I kid you not...I just got back to my office after lunch and was eating a gingerbread cookie while reading this post. I laughed so hard, I almost spit a whole gob of gingerbread all over my monitor.

When I saw that Michigan was officially selected to come to Grand Forks, I decided I have to make this trip. Just waiting for the boss' ok and I'm on board!

I agree 100% dagies. It was nice to see players like Duncan and Oshie score, get some quick hugs from teammates, then go back to business. No wild celebrations and no jersey pops. Act like you've been there before and it's not the last time you'll score a goal. Bigger things lie ahead for this team. Nice work by the players and good job coaching by Dave Hakstol.

NICE!!!

It was my pleasure. Unfortunately, it was Runninwiththebeyonddrunkdogs on the Dance Mania cam. Rumor has it I was on later in the game but thankfully, it wasn't dance cam. Oh the horror.

NMU guy grew up in Ishpeming. Thankfully, NMU went retro-style jersey this season and ditched the hideous Wildcat logo look.

I figured it would be more like 15 minutes after their regional semi-final game ends on Friday night.

I believe I posted here quite some time ago that the NCAA would do everyting possible to ensure that an all-WCHA tournament didn't happen again. It's a TV ratings disaster on the east coast without a Maine, Boston U, Boston College, or UNH in the tournament. This isn't exactly unexpected.

You know, the sad part is, that outside of the obvious error, it's actually one of the cooler items given out at any Final Five I've been to. It sure beats some Red Baron beads or black and teal (or was that supposed to be green, lol) pom poms.

If Dave Hakstol wants "MafiaMan, Motivational Speaker" to show up and give a pre-game pep talk, I'll be glad to oblige. I was one of about 5 Sioux fans who personally witnessed the 1998 game with the Wolverines in Yost.

Thanks to all who attended the breakfast get-together at the Hoggsbreath Saturday morning. It was nie to re-acquaint myself with some friends from the Al Pearson 2005 Frozen Four bus tour as well as meet a few more new people. I really had a great time with everyone. For those who were there (and you know who you are), just PM me for the link to the site we joked about and I'll gladly forward it to you.

It's been well-documented on this site the travesty that was the Colorado College/Minnesota Gopher hockey game last March and my donning of a certain jersey with an ugly-colored M on it for that game. Alas, it has been a year, but thanks to the Sioux hockey team defeating Minnesota in last year's Final Five 3rd place game, revenge was served on Friday afternoon for the Wisconsin/North Dakota hockey game as my buddy was forced to wear my 1997 era North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey jersey. Much to his chagrin, I promised him that before the weekend was over, a picture commemorating the moment would be proudly displayed for all to see on Siouxsports.com. Without further ado, I bring you...the 2006 Final Five trio...

Last call for the Hoggsbreath! Matt & co. are ready and waiting. I'm estimating between 15 and 25 Siouxsports.com members along with various friends and family. Get on board and I'll see you there in 50 minutes!

All I know is that the Minnesota's Angels on Ice have had the Final Five in their own backyard 9 times in the past 10 years and made the title game exactly 4 times, winning it in 2003 and 2004, but losing in 1997 and 2002. By contrast, North Dakota has now been in the title game in 1997 (win), 1998 (loss @ Bradley Center), 2000 (win), 2001 (loss), and 2004 (loss). It's time to make it 3-3 in championship games since 1997 as well as avenge that 2001 heartbreaker to SCSU.

For fans still hopping on here, 11:00 am tomorrow at the Hoggsbreath in Little Canada! I am estimating anywhere between 15-25 people at the moment. See you then!

The Sioux are the "away" team on the scoreboard today, so it's either black or green. Given that it's St Patrick's Day, I'd be stunned if they weren't wearing the mighty GREEN giant uniforms!