hoser

pathfinder, I'm not sure I can thank you enough for looking into it, much appreciated. GO SIOUX!!!

Thank you for your response pathfinder, Sovak is a buddy of mine who attended UND 2002-2006, if memory serves correctly (I owe him thanks in fueling my fire for Sioux hockey, as well). He was actually helping me link the picture here (and telling me to go to the Adult Learning Center for Computer 101), as I was having worlds of trouble! The picture was given to me by a good friend who owns an antique shop here in Minot. You can see some damage to the photo, which is from the 2011 flood. He gifted it to me after we found it cleaning out his garage post flood. Unfortunately, the vintage Playboy magazines were not salvageable. The reason I've always assume the opponent was Michigan State was the few letters I can make out on the goalie's jersey. I just read your original post, and response to mine, aloud to my wife and two sons. Many "oohs and aahs" and I still have goosebumps. Truly great stuff!

pathfinder, Thank you for sharing your story and pictures. Very cool Do you (or does anyone else) have any idea when this picture may have been from? I've always assumed the opponent was Michigan State. https://www.facebook...comment_mention

I stand corrected, midco started picking up the WDAZ feed at some point. Good call!

Grew up in Minot playing hockey in the 80's and 90's, never had any real interest in the sport other than playing it myself or on the SEGA. I do recall watching the Rangers historic run to the cup in 1994, which coupled with my aunt moving to New York and sending me Rangers gear, solidified my NYR obsession. (Shamefully) Fell out of love with the sport by the time I was a high schooler, had other things on my mind (or was mindless, can't decide). One of my classmates left Minot to join NDTP and eventually ended up playing for the Sioux. In his junior season at UND I realized I had better watch him, and I could easily do so with TV coverage becoming statewide (not exactly sure when Midco started statewide coverage). This was shortly after the birth of my first son, who I wanted to share the joys of hockey with (Let me tell you, it's been so fun with both of my boys!). I quickly fell back in love with the greatest team sport, and grew immense pride in what my state had to offer in that regard. In 2005, 3 friends and I drove 22 hours (poorly navigated, to hell with Indiana!) to Columbus to watch the Sioux beat the goofs (Fabian goal or goals?), then lose to Denver in the Championship. As heartbreaking as that was, we did get to watch our hometown buddy tie the record for the most games played as an NCAA hockey player (165, I think. Later broken by Ironman Chris Porter). Since that time, I have watched every home game I could and have spent many an evening searching AM radio to find away games. It's hard on the westside of the state sometimes, stupid 9 man football and the bouncy ball sport! Friends and family avoid me if they know I've missed a game, I get cranky. I've spent hours paging through media guides, familiarizing myself with UND's great tradition and history. I attended 2006-2011 Final Fives (My friends and I wear the obnoxiously cheap neon green caps with "Go Sioux" crudely written in permanent marker). Missed 2012, but attended in 2013 and took my boys (who dumped probably $50 worth of quarters in the Superchexx game at our hotel). I did not make the Frozen Faceoff this year, as I was in Grand Forks for a squirt tourney. Two of my crew were there in the expensive neon hats we spent hours designing. The first hockey game I took my youngest son to was the Holy Cross/goofs game, followed by the big win over Mich by the Sioux! I was fortunate enough that my childrens' mother was friends with a suite owner who invited us. I like to think that my love of Sioux hockey has spread to many friends and family now because of me. I bother people at work who know nothing about hockey with random rants. I get angry with people sporting Sioux gear who stare blankly when I say "Big game tonight!" And I live and die with every play of the puck. March Madness? pfff!!! Try October - April Insanity! Anyway, that's my summary for now. Thanks for asking!

This pains me to say, but I'm intimidated by the goofs this year. I hadn't closely watched a game all year until the game yesterday. They are big, fast, and skilled. That being said, I'll be cheering hard - Siouxed up from the boot up!!! Can somebody sedate me until the Hennessy pre game show starts?

Great points. His speed, tenacity, and compete level are tremendous. His ceiling is certainly very high. I don't think you'd find many arguments if you said Rocco is the most skilled player on the team. I believe that myself. Would really like to see him chin up and just keep plugging away when it doesn't work. Easy for my lazy rear to say. He's all over the keep plugging away part, but I hate to see anyone in a UND jersey hang their head.

Ees a sweater!

I hadn't considered that. Good call SiouxScore and Goon.

I'll say a little about Hak, and a lot about this year's team. I do not want any other coach to lead my favorite team. I'm a Hak lover. This year's squad is intriguing. No real standouts, but one heck of a team. I really dislike Rocco. From my perspective, he's a diver/embellisher, has poor body language/attitude when things don't go his way, and is not living up to his perceived potential. Personally, I hope he signs a professional contract after this year. I don't think he'll ever stick in the National, maybe I'll eat crow with that statement one day. I really love Connor Gaarder. Underdog stories are always the best. Gaarder plays Sioux hockey, an honest game with hard work being the main theme. To see him get that game winner against Ferris was so enjoyable, I must've watched that gif Goon posted 50 times. I can't decide how I feel about Schmaltz, he's an enigma to me. He can look like the best player on the ice, and sometimes in the same game, he looks like a defensive liability who is too casual with the puck in his own end. And he often looks slow on his feet. Simpson reminds me of Dan Girardi, I wonder to myself if he'll shot block his way to a top pairing one day. I hope so, I like his attitude. How about Zane? I think he'll sign a pro contract this year, regardless of the outcome at the Frozen Four. I hope I'm wrong, but it would be a gamble for him to think his stock could rise any higher than it currently is. I know we're looking at a bright future with our youth and recruits, but the NCHC has so much parody. Either way his performance on Saturday is one I won't soon forget. Feel like I should mention another forward... Caggiula plays hard, bit of a hothead, but overall I like what he brings. Seems like he's on the verge of a breakout in a lot of games. Hope he can string together two memorable games in a week and a half. The stars have aligned for us to seek revenge on some of our biggest rivals. If this team beats Soder then BC for #8, I could die a happy man. Also, I'm fully aware that I'm just some dbag coaching from my couch. Go Sioux LET'S F'N GO SIOUX!!!

The iheart radio feed from my computer is always a few seconds behind the TV broadcast - Hit pause on the dvr until Hennessy is synced up. Best idea I've had in a long time! Love that Gaarder deposited the game winner. I was calling for him to get it Friday, this is much sweeter! "He plays for the jersey..." I almost got teary eyed, too awesome!

Anyone else bother reading the comments section of the Wisconsin State Journal article? "Mike Eaves is a terrible coach and now has his excuse for .500 hockey the next 3 years," and the like. Yikes! This win wasn't pretty, but getting it done ugly is still getting it done!!! Here's to hoping I have reason for more winner cliches tonight.

Zane must be huge. Gaarder with the GWG!!! I'll be Sioux'd up from the boot up, coaching from the couch. Let's Go Sioux!

I was actually dialing Direct TV to give them a piece of my mind, and noticed the guide is showing Fridays game. No Saturday listed yet... Here's to hoping.

My favorite moment (beside the hit previoiusly mentioned) proves TJ is the most exciting hockey player I have ever followed. I was listening to a Sioux/CC game on the radio in my car during the 06-07 season. I'll never forget TH's voice and the enthusiasm he used as Oshie gutted it out backchecking to break up an offensive opportunity for CC. An incredible two-way player. I am now a Blue's fan.