Siouxtimestwo

I like how after showing the replays where you can see a CC stick accidentally tripping up Watkins, the announcer still continues to talk about how Watkins just tripped over his own skate.

Not degrading anyone on Anchorage, just pointing out how important Oshie is. I think that is more relevant to the Sioux game than Duluth vs. Wisco women's hockey.

First period analysis. 1-1 Forwards are skating much better and actually controlling the puck in the neutral zone, unlike yesterday. We have the same intensity we did at the end of yesterday's game Defense played better at the end of the period, but that was due more to the pressure put on by the forwards. They must play better if we are going to win a game in the NCAAs. Much better job winning faceoffs today compared to yesterday. Have I mentioned Oshie's good? Well just in case anyone else missed it, Oshie's good!

Just think of everything Oshie has been doing for this team, then realize he's injured! Just imagine if Oshie had left in the middle of the season when we were struggling, like some other players did. Would we better than anyone but Anchorage?

VV did win the faceoff though.

Make that Oshie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

We are getting chances. One of these is gonna find net. I'm calling VV. He needs to be rewarded, as he's one of the few Sioux who have played well recently.

I guess he forgot to mention that. He did mention Holy Cross though.

Announcers mentioning the past several teams that went 0-2 in St. Paul. All went 1 and done in the tourney. You mean winning games is better for you than losing! Here I thought it was just the opposite.

Yes they certainly are. I would think that would favor us, but it sure didn't yesterday.

Forwards are certainly generating much more pressure. The D leaves a lot to be desired thus far. Our communication on the blue line seems terrible. A lot of guys looking at each other waiting for the other guy to pick up a skater and before you know it, the guy is unleashing a shot right on goal. Nice save Lammy!

If the gophers continue to score 3 goals a game like they have been, I don't see how they lose a game with Kangas in net. That's why I am so desperate for UND to win it all this year. Without Oshie and JPL (aka our entire team) next year, plus having to battle Kangas and Bachmann for the next 3 years, it might be awhile before we have a realistic shot. Just think back to the beginning of the year, when every article or website talking about the best line in college hockey automatically took Oshie and Duncan's like out of the equation. Now, we don't even know who makes up Oshie and Duncan's line.

I sure hope the USCHO guys are right in the committee honoring the integrity of the bracket and sending us to Worcester. Seeing as how the word money is more important to the NCAA than integrity, I am guessing we're going to Springs no matter how today plays out. Still, let's win today, so we can at least hope for awhile!

I don't think anyone should be worried about the Sioux intentionally laying down for a game either. However, the Sioux certainly unintentionally laid down for yesterday's game. They got bailed out by a couple of other teams, so miraculously they still have a very good shot at a 1 seed, but starting today, their fate is in their own hands. Any team that needs a loss this time of year to remind them of that is not a true championship contender. I've been worried about the lapses they have for extended periods of games lately. Yesterday did nothing to quell those worries. How a team can be lifeless for 2 periods then come out firing in the 3rd is beyond me. I get the impression this team doesn't understand that you have to play for a full 60 minutes to win this time of year. I get the impressions the coaches feel this way too, since it's now a week before the NCAA tourney and the coaches still haven't found anyone to step up and skate with Oshie and Duncan. Unless someone takes a VV like step forward in the next couple of weeks, we're always going to struggle to score goals unless TJ Oshie is on the ice. Do we remind anyone else of the gophers about a month ago? Let's go on a run like they have, starting today. Paging the powerplay. Please report to the Xcel Energy Center at 2 PM.

Empty netter. I guess it pays off to play for 60 minutes rather than 20.

1:30 to bury one or else kiss a 1 seed goodbye.

Or not if that happens. 2-1 Denver. Coast to coast.

Not if Duncan gets more chances like that!

I guess, maybe I should try it more often. I usually try to put thought into my posts, but this seems to be paying off much better.

Finally! Where was this effort the first 2 periods? Keep it up boys. See, this team always does the exact opposite of what I want it to do, so I'm trying hard to not cheer for the Sioux to actually win, but it's damn hard.

Well, after watching the 2nd period, I've changed my attitude. I completely agree with all the people who were pining for the Sioux to lose before the playoffs. Clearly, that great loss we had against Tech has got these boys completely focused and playing their best hockey. Taking this attitude one step further, I would like to be the first to say that was a great 2nd period by the Sioux. I particularly thought we did a great job giving up that goal, losing faceoffs, letting Denver forwards skate freely into the zone, and not clearing the puck.

Here's my quick-hit first period analysis. Denver owns the neutral zone. I would hate to see what the shots on goal would have been if we didn't get a couple of 5 on 3s. Getting a goal on this current power play is huge. VV stepped up last year in this game and showed he was going to be player this year, with he, Oshie and Genoway in the box it's time for some of these other guys to do the same. We supposedly have more scoring depth this year, let's prove it. Officiating has been surprisingly great. Denver has more penalties because they are being the aggressors, but nothing has been cheap. They are basically playing Sioux hockey right now. They maybe got a little out of hand before the scrum at the end, seeing as no Sioux player was anywhere close to charging Mannino, but their goalie was down and defenseless on the ice and they wanted to protect him. They paid the price for it, so I can't really complain.

GO SIOUX! Better make it easy on the fans, like 6-0, just to be sure.

Well, nothing can be done about the Pairwise either, but that doesn't stop us from speculating. Nothing can be done by posting positive or negative things after a game like this either. I'm sure Hak has the guys focused on Sunday as well, but I'm sure he spent a little bit of time talking about the end of the game with the boys too. I'm positive most of the time, but there is nothing positive about this game tonight.

So being this close to a title and falling just short isn't enough motivation? Explain to me what was good about this loss. Was it giving up the game-tying goal with 5 seconds left? Taking a penalty in OT? I'm just saying that while we've been learning all these valuable lessons in good losses the past couple years other teams have been winning titles by playing for 60 minutes.