MinnesotaNorthStar

Well that is quite generous of you...from the bottom of my heart, thank you. And don't worry, even though I will be cheering for the Gophers...I will not be that dissapointed if they lose (I will however, have a few drinks for you...win or lose )

I saw CSTV advertised this morning on USCHO...I hope that there will be televised college hockey games come next season (you don't know how frustrating it is to have two roomates who don't really like sports enough to get the Fox Sports package for satellite, and seeing all these WCHA, CCHA, and Hockey East games on the others...wishing you could see them). We actually get the Gopher, Wisco, and CC/Denver channels, but I'd like to diversify.

As long as they don't interfere with the hockey season...meaning plan the bball schedule around the hockey schedule. I didn't like the fact that Mankato was switched to a home series in the beginning of the year (it was Thanksgiving)because the Sioux-Bison game was scheduled for the weekend it was supposed to be (at least that is what I am told). The Ralph is a hockey arena first...basketball court is down the list farther. A new facility isn't that great of an idea, unless Phil Jackson wants to build one for us. Let me try to explain it better...we were supposed to go to Mankato over Thanksgiving, but they switched because when Mankato was supposed to come here, it was the weekend of the Sioux-Bison game. (by the way I realize what time it is)

This just in...Mike Wilbon of ESPN's Pardon the Interruption picked Minnesota to win the National Championship. Gopher fans don't get too excited...Wilbon was 0-8 for NHL first round openers and picked Minnesota because they were the Big Ten team in the tourney. just some interesting info for ya

So the ice surface will not be an advantage to anyone. Keys for UNH is to stay out of the box and Ayers has to play like Roli did last night against the Avs. Keys for the Gophers are not to get down early, and capitalize on the power play.

Swipe cards=good idea for the students, but I agree it would be a bad idea for the rest of the season ticket holders. As a current student I would love to have one card that let me go to all the games, it would be very convenient, but as far as season ticket holders go, it would not be conducive to the atmosphere in the arena as it might decrease attendance as per the reasons already stated by airmail and sicatoka

If you live in Grand Forks...go to the Sioux shop or Barnes and Noble...if not, try the website as Sic mentioned

I have to go with my chilhood roots and the Gophs. I realize that guys like yellowdog will be all over this board bragging and rubbing it in, but at the same time it'll be nice to see the WCHA get yet another Natiopnal Championship, proving that even though the West doesn't get the respect we deserve, we are still the best conferece around. It'll also shut the East-biased analysts up for at least another year. As to who I think will win, it depends on what type of game will be played. If it turns into a goaltending battle...the University of Nothing but Hacks will win as Ayers is far better than Weber or Johnson. If it turns into a shootout...The Gophers are full of snipers up front while UNH is playing without Lanny Gare, and doesn't have the fire power to compete with the Gophers.

They flashed the stat last night...I think it was something like 34-1-2-0, or something to that effect which is damn impressive

Obviously the right choice...Sejna was one of the best players I've seen to play the game since The Great One, and Super Mario. Go WCHA...let's go for a Hobey three-peat next year. Also, congrats to the Wild for winning their first ever playoff game @ Colorado, which is as tough a place as any to play, 4-2.

Actually the agreement was we would TRY to clean it up, which we did...the standing issue though (I was not one of them, though I wasn't happy about sitting) yes, students did violate that part of the agreement. As for the comment about my mom's words...jumping off bridges is fun you should give it a try sometime. She also didn't say "fans in the league," she used "friends instead...and it's not jsut SCSU it's Wisconsin, Mankato, Minnesota, Duluth...I've never been to a CC, Denver, Alaska, or Tech game, but I'm sure they do it too. Same thing out East. I would be willing to give the cleaning up of the language another go, IF the rest of the fans will cheer with us and get the Ralph as loud as we can...if not, then F@#$ it!!

To be honest, I didn't realize that part...bonus for us I guess (At least the guys ) kr...what about moving you to 105 right next to skateshattrick??? Sic...we tried cleaning up the verbage, it divided the student section, we finished with the 8th seed in the WCHA playoffs, as far as we're concerned it failed...also, EVERY other team's fans use said verbage.

I realize what's done is done and we are sitting in 111 next year...The only part of flatspin's plan I disagree with is 105-106. Why not 103-104. There is no wheelchair section there (remember that was part of the students standing controversy last year), and it gives those in the adjacent sections good sightlines if they want to sit, while the students stand. skateshattrick, we were unaware they told you you have those seats for life when you bought them, but at the same time look at it from our perspective, we want to be where we shoot twice, as it was at the old Engelstad. We want to be "in" the game as much as possible. It is also not in one's best interest to piss off people who will be providing the revenue in the future.

That must be why the ice was so bad at the Friday night Sioux-Denver game...REA knew they would make more money if the Sioux didn't sweep!!

McElhinney, 2nd team??? Are they on crack. He really didn't impress me all that much this season. Berkhoel, Dubie, Reichmuth...all these guys deserved it before McElhinney. As for Clarke...switch him with Shane Joeseph, but I do believe he was good enough to make 2nd team. Then replace Umberger (must have shot some good heroin on this decision) with Bochenski, Vanek, or Jon Francisco. I can name more people that should be on their before RJ, but I believe these are the top three. I have no idea who Brad Fast (11-35-46) is, so I'll assume he should be on it...but Schneider (11-30-41) and Ballard (12-29-41) should have also been considered. Seeing as how Fast was the second leading scorer on MSU, behind Liles, and did have 5 more points than Ballard and Schneider, I believe that was well deserved.

haha...I thought John Madden commentated football? Both Minnesota and Michigan WILL take advantage of New Hampshire's discipline problem. The Michigan and Minnesota forwards are also too good for New Hampshire to play that type of game. They will simply dance around their defense and I believe they will get some very good opportunities because of this. Ayers will have to play unbelievable if New Hampshire has any chance of winning tomorrow no matter who they play.

Neither held up to their end of the deal. The students agreed to clean up the language and only stand during "exciting" moments in the game and power plays. As a result the Grand Forks community (or those represented said they would cheer with us to try and bring back the Englestad atmosphere. The standing didn't start until this year in 109. I'm not blaming anyone here. My main gripe is the corner that we are sitting in and the loss of seats, not that we have been moved. But I do agree that there were some students that just disregarded others and stood the whole game.

I stand corrected on Sekaras...Brian Rafalski of the New Jersey Devils is 5-9 190 (so siouxrock there is at least one). Bina CAN make the NHL as a defenseman, but I would say he has a better chance as a forward.

Beware the Wild...they are a sneaky team, I think they will surprise a lot of people. While I understand that as an Avs fan you have to stick up for your team...I also have to stick up for mine. The Wild can beat the Avs. They can beat ANY team that's in the playoffs. They are 1-2-2-0 against Colorado this year. The Wild also have another thing going for them, they have no one that is consider a superstar (at least not by team standards). I believe they will get to a sixth or possibly seventh game with them. Remember the Wild are undefeated when leading after 3 periods

Prpich was rather silent at the start, but as the season went on, he got that much better. He worked for every single goal he scored, and every sing assist he made. I can honestly say I think he will be one of our best players next season.

I love the fact that we are being moved to the corner....however it is the wrong one. The hostile environment talked about earlier is like having a 7th man on the ice, it's what home ice advantage is all about. REA is greatly taking that away from the Sioux, all in the name of cash. Let's not forget this game is about the students...not Grand Forks. The players are our classmates. It's the UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA Fighting Sioux. They need to give the students control of the entire area behind the south goal. Oh wait, that's not as profitable. (I mean that we should have the same number of seats as we did this season in the lower bowl). It's not like that place doesn't make enough money with their ridiculously overpriced concession items.

I think that next season will depend a lot on how the defense responds to losing David Hale. We have the offensive talent, there's no question about that. But our defense needs to step it up a few notches next year, or we won't be contending for the WCHA championship. I liked what I saw from Brandt at the end of the year also, and I think that if he continues that play our goaltending situation will be much better next season.

As I said...

You know I'm game kid (yes I am 21)

Again I will have to clarify what I was trying to say. I was talking defensmen, not forwards. Marian Gaborik is 6-1, 185 by the way. However, Wes Walz is 5-10, 180 and Brian Gionta is 5-7, 175, and they have made a big impact with the Wild and Devils, respectively. If Bina is as good a puck handler as they say he is then he shouldn't have a problem with the transition at forward. I'll find out who the smallest Defenseman is in the NHL, then we'll see. As of right now though, I believe it is Sekaras.