Big Lake Vindy

After seeing the Bina injury it's become evident that something has to be done about the horrible officiating in the WCHA. The conference needs a compelte overhaul from top to bottom. It's time for the schools to send Bruce McCloud packing and put somebody in charge who can bring order and impartiality to the conference. School Administrations need to demand an overhaul of the "good Old Boys" club that passes itself off as officials. Greg Shepard had only one goal in mind and that's to keep his family members employed. Officials like Don Adam should have been droppped years ago. He had absolutely no guts as evidenced by the horrible call on Bina's injury. It should not take a review hours after the game to determine the action of the Denver kid was " willful intent to injure". WCHA schools need to seriously look at removal of the current conference commission and head of officials. President Kupchella and Phil Harmeson need to take a stand and call for a review of the present WCHA structure on behalf of UND and Robbie Bina. I'll bet they'll get plenty of support.

It's time that video of the 1997, 2000 and 2001 teams get drilled into the curentt Sioux heads. Maybe the D can learn from Mike Commodoreand its darn sure right that Jason Black, Lee Goren, and Dave Hoogsteen 's play could teach the current prima donnas how the game is really played. How can a team captain be so dense as to continually take stupid penalties that send his team down 5 on 3. Murray and Stafford must have gone over the wall and have doubles on the ice. Hakstol may have his structured practices, quote Sioux players, but Blais' free whellers like Blake, Bochenski and Parise deliver. The current Sioux really believe the looocal media and meaningless polls. Bring back the wide open, givem hell D and O. Forget about polls, the only thing that's meaningful is who take home the top prize come April. Just Ask the Pionners!!!

I was interested in a couple of radio comments by Sioux players interviewed by Tim Hennesy between periods of recent games. Hennesy asked if there was any difference in the coaching style of Blais and Hakstol. Both players (Fabian and ?) said the team likes the structured practices of Hakstol compared to Dean's free wheeling style. This team shouldn't have to be structured with the talent they have. Can't help but wonder if they aren't trying to hard to have everything perfect. Murphy, Stafford, Fylling, Schneider, McMahon, these guys play best when they open up and skate. You can't argue with success and Blais had it. Hope Hakstol isn't going to try and change everything. If so, it will be a long season.

The blocks of corporate seats at REA are one of the problems that there is no major fan participation. I had season tickets in the old Ralph in Section X and that sections was among the most rabid in the building. There was never a need for a cheerleader-- the fans made their own noise. When we moved to the new REA the big corporates grabbed off all of the good lower bowl seats, unless you paid your tribute. Result, I now sit next to fans I don't know, because they are different every game, using the freebies from the boss. They know nothing about the game, come in late every night, need to get a beer every 10 minutes and totally disrupt the game. I'm so damn sick of hearing "who scored or why is that a penalty." I want to stay home and watch on TV. If 6,000 people at the game every week are there just to say they saw a hockey game at REA and they do it with free tickets, guess what - they are never going to be fans. Give me the old arena and 6,000 screaming hardcores and it will be hockey the way it is supposed to be. I really wonder if this is what Ralph envisioned? I don't think so................

Jason Blake is now playing in the NHL like he played for the Sioux during his career. He deserves the honor and a big boost in salary.

It's great to hear that David Hale is cleared to play. I do find it odd that a official of the alumni association and the AD, neither of whom are linked to the hockey team would make such an announcement. Being cleared to play and playing are a long way apart. Even to have David in the arena will boost the Sioux. I'll believe he's playing when it comes from the UND coaching staff. It's "Announcements" like that from TO and RT that create the BS that arose from Coach Blais not linking up to "No Class" Eddie Schultz on his radio show. I know that O'Keefe and Thomas like to keep in the limelight but releasing info on a hockey player's return to action based on being cleared to return to practice - C'mon

F0rmer Sioux as NHL scoring leaders... I can't think of anybody although Phil Sykes played well for the Winnipeg Jets, I'm not sure that he ever was the team's scoring leader.

The way the Sioux have played since the 8-0 shelling of Tech should kill any ideas of any Hobey Baker's for UND. Haven't heard much about Bochenski's personal goals in a long time. Maybe the team needs to set aside personal goals and start playing like a team. Our "D" needs to stay at home and do its job. Mitch Vig where are you? The next three games will determine if there are "ANY" real leaders on the team. As far as anyone leaving, they'll be to old for the USHL and the NHL is done giving bonuses to unknowns. The going is tough, let's see if the tough get going.

Good goal tending is 50 percent skill and 50 percent luck. To many fans think just because a player from the USHL logged great numbers they will put them up for D-1 teams. Forget it... The jr. stars find out real quick that every player on the ice in D-1 is as good or better then the best in jrs. Take a reality check - it will take even the best underclassmen time to adapt to the D-1 style. That's why Matt Greene is still taking stupid penalties, he used muscle instead of brains in juniors. Give him a while longer and maybe he will evolve like Mike Commodore. Also, maybe if the Sioux as constantly getting mugged like Tim Hennessy constantly complains, Greene should lay a lesson on the attacker(s) like Commie did against the Badger goon in old Ralph. let's hope that Marc Ransfranz is the Aaron Schweitzer of "97 or the Karl Goehring of 2000. SO SIOUX.

Is anybody following former Sioux Jason Blake? I've caught the Isles on TV a couple of time in the past weeks and he looks like the Tasmanian devil that played at the Old Ralph. I was surprised in last night's game against the Sharks to hear that he was among team leaders in goals and scoring. He trails Alexei Yashin 44-39 in points and Mark Parrish 21-17 in goals for the team lead. It was interesting to hear him called "The Pest"and how despite his size he doesn't back down from anyone. Just as the announcer said that he was checked hard and bounced up to challenge the Sharks biggest D man. Great to see a Sioux getting NHL recognition. It's been a while. Anyone know the status of Lee Goren and Mike Commodore?

Schmidtdoggydog: I agree with your assessment of the Sioux over the past month. I think Ranfranz has the making of another Aaron Schweitzer or Karl Goehring. He's just cocky enough to hype his teammates and makes the game look like fun. If he came learn to pop gloved pucks to the blocker and skate the dancing figure 8's after a big save he might be what the Sioux need to ride to another frozen four. I think the underclassmen still haven't learned how to really win the big games. Also, the words Hobey Baker can turn the best team players into "I" players. I just wish Ralph had spoken those wise words "There is no I in TEAM."