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I did not know that, but thanks for the correction and the info. Casey deserved it, he was a stud between the pipes.

I think that's why we have a coach like Hakstol...one who GETS US THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. 4 in 4. Them's good odds. Oh...but wait. Odds...hmmm...that implies probability. Hmmm.... Maybe a team that makes the 4 isn't guaranteed a victory every year. Even every 4. Maybe it's more like one in 8....or one in 12. Folks at BC might tell you something like that. Disappointing...yes...sure...we'd all love to be on the USCHO chat rooms rubbing Bawstun noses in chowdah speak right now...and every year. But the reality is that a national championship is a RARE THING. 1 team each season gets the title...and did you think that was Mich. State's "turn" last year? No? Hmmm.... Maybe it was Harvard's turn in '89? No? Bowling Green's turn in 84? I'm just sayin'....it's not always the team you expect, NOR the team you want. The latter seems to be even more the case than the former. In any case...yeah...I'm disappointed, but not done with the Sioux by a long shot. This team is in my blood, and I'll root for them every year, and I'll pray that they are coached by a guy who once wore a green and white sweater...for I know he shares that same goals for the team as I. Go SIOUX!!

I'd like to start my first "new thread" with a BIG THANK YOU to all of the 2007-2008 Fighting Sioux for their hard work, great play, and supreme effort on a terrific season. It's been my pleasure to watch you play, every game, and enjoy your talents. And to the Fighting Sioux coaching and training staff...thank you all for your efforts on yet another amazing season. Keep up the hard work. AND GO SIOUX!!!! Thank you. All of you.

I totally agree. Winning the Broadmore trophy is well worth acknowledgment. As is the McNaughton Cup. I DO have some concern that the emphasis in Sioux-land is more toward NCAA title rather than WCHA titles...and in some respect I understand that goal, but I also feel (deep down) that the team who wins both the WCHA cups will bring home the BIG BANNER. And...maybe I'm wrong...maybe all three are the goal every year and I'm just not seeing the big picture. Actually, I hope I am wrong there. But yeah, like all of us, I just Loooooove it when they win the Big One. That seems to make it all worthwhile. And, by Sioux standards...yeah....it's been a while We're starting to have that itch. Getting so close and not grabbing the hardware...well, it's....it's just hard to accept. But accept it we must, and move forward. Rest assured...ANOTHER BANNER WILL HANG IN THE REA. We just don't know yet what year that will be. GO SIOUX!!!

Bob, I hear ya. All I can really say is, I truly hope BC wins it all. For two reasons. 1. I only want the Sioux to lose to the best. 2. They only have 2 titles to Michigan's 9. I'd like the Sioux to exceed that in my lifetime. As to Notre Dame...hey...I wish 'em all the best.

"Goaltending killed us in the end the last 3 seasons, hopefully Eideness ends that." Yeah....ok.... So...Jpar and J-P couldn't get 'er done for you. Except that hmmm....wait a sec... J-P just became the FIRST Sioux goalie to make the Hobie Top Ten list. Oh...and wait....he had the BEST NUMBERS IN NET of ANY GOALIE in the NCAA going into the FF. Hmmm.... Oh, but wait. J-Par was a sieve. No...wait....a funnel. No...wait...hmmm...scratch that. He was a pretty decent netminder. Dang. So much for that theory. But hey. Hopefully Eidsness ends that. Or maybe Walski will continue his shutout streak? I'm just sayin....goaltending hasn't really been a short suit in past years.

It's still about hanging banners in the REA...it's always been about that. Those banners are the legacy...they are what those great teams leave behind for us to remember them by. And for every banner hanging from the rafters in the RAE, there are three awesome teams who didn't bring one home, and three great teams who never even made the NCAA's to try to bring one home. 7 titles in over fifty years of hockey, people. Just having a great team does NOT equal a national title...and the Sioux are not the only team with that issue. BC only has 2 national titles (so far...Sat night withholding) and yet they've been to the FF 28 times (SIX MORE THAN THE SIOUX!!). Sure, we want more banners hanging from the rafters...and they will come. But understand...those banners also came with teams that also won McNaughton cups and Broadmore trophy's.....not just National titles. I wait, with baited breath, another Sioux team that dominates like '99, or '87... GO SIOUX!!!

Frustrated. Now THAT I understand. Yes...it is frustrating to be "there" 4 times and not bring home the hardware. Like you, I want them to win it "all" every year. And also like you, I bleed Sioux Green. Go SIOUX!!!

I'm with you on that one. I was stunned we couldn't generate ANY offense in that one. Tonight, well...I'll say this for BC. They scouted JP's 5-hole very well. If you look at the first period shots, that was the only place they were shooting. They picked it as his achilles' heel, and it paid off for them. By the time they scored their 2 on 1, it was all over but the final score. Sadly. But....that does NOT mean the difference was coaching alone. There were a lot of bounces in there that just didn't fly. Had the Sioux not just banged the pipe at 6 min in,(and tied it) but put one home...it may have been a totally different game. However....it is what it is. Tonight is done. Next year awaits. Change coaching staff? Puhleeze. I wouldn't trade Hakstol and Eades for Scotty Bowman. And do you know WHY? Ask yourself this.... WHAT COLOR DO THEY BLEED???

Yeah, I'd be happier if there were a banner or two for the past 4, but guess what? I'm still proud as hell of the 7 we have... And it could have been 9 had 2 OT's gone the other way...I guess we should have fired those coaches. (Blaise and Gasparini). Oops...except then we'd have missed out on Gino's 3 titles. Hmmm..... Just sit back and think about it a moment....we're all Sioux fans here...we're on the same side. Only TWO OTHER coaches in HISTORY have taken their teams to 4 FF's in 4 years. Don't you think it's an advantage to have one of those 3 on our side right now? This isn't about the coaching staff not being capable, This is about reality. In the NCAA's you get one shot. Use it or lose it. If this were best of seven, the Sioux might have two of four banners hanging right now. Reload. Retrain. And bring 'em back again.

No. I'm not kidding. I saw a loaded-for-bear 81 team go nowhere. And an 84 team. A 98 team. A 99 team. And a 2001 team missed their chance. And there were others...remember 79? Talent and coaching will get you so far...but even the '84 Oilers lost a few.

A. Learn to spell. B. Understand that 4 appearances in the FF doesn't guarantee a single win. C. York has lost FF games to 3 different teams in 3 years. Think BC is considering firing him? D. NHL plays best of 7 series in the playoffs for a REASON. THIS is the REASON. E. Agreed with you, York brought players better prepared to exploit the other teams weakness. Again. F. Again, consider that without getting TO the FF, the Sioux never have a CHANCE at playing on Saturday. G. We'll be back. And after that, we'll be back again. H. And yet again. I'll drink a toast to #11 before the end of my days, and like it. And if Hakstol and Eades are coaching that game, I'll be just fine with that. But I'm sure you'll still find a reason to complain that it isn't #12.

No disrespect intended, but .... get stuffed. It's a helluva lot harder to win a national title than you think. Single elimination tournaments are rolls of the dice. Sure, coaching is part of it, but so is luck. Think about it. Then think about how many teams never even GET CLOSE to the frozen four. THEN sit back and think that BC has been three and out in the last four years too. These guys worked their asses off all season...some of them for four seasons in a row. and that includes the coaching staff. It's apparent to me you have no idea what goes into a college hockey season, front to back. 100+ wins in 4 years? 4 frozen fours out of 4 seasons? So then... Sit down. Shut up. And keep your la-z-boy coaching antics between you and your remote control. Not that Hakstol or Eades need anyone to get their backs...but I'm there for any of 'em. GO SIOUX!

NDH (and all travelers) The fingers were already crossed, but of course you have my best wishes for safe travels, a safe return, and a jubilant time in Denver. Keep 'er between the ditches, and shiny side up. I'll be lookin' for ya on ESPN. ;-) Drive safe everyone, and bring home some huge smiles! GO SIOUX!!!

Badger fan upset with team stay home in Mad-town.

To those of you making the trip to Denver....ENJOY! CELEBRATE!! CHEER!!! Those of us not able to go will travel with you in spirit, and we'll enjoy every single rousing moment. GO SIOUX!!!! BRING IT HOME!!!!!

NDH...Great seeing you there too, my man. Glad to see the Sioux give you a great b-day gift wrapped with a BIG RED bow! ;-) Turns out I was sitting in the midst of the badger student section...such fun...they looked at me like they'd never heard the "who's she?" line before. ;-) Safe travels to Denver, sir, and enjoy the hoisting of #8...this will be a magical weekend for many. Go SIOUX!!!!!

Yeah, kinda wishful thinking on my part and, when I really think about it, I'd rather see the Sioux beat Michigan than Notre Dame. It's always sweeter to beat the team everyone thinks is #1....plus it would give JPL a few good chances to stone Mr. Porter and Co. The key thing, I think, is that the Sioux field a group of guys who made a commitment to the mission. To return to the Frozen Four and bring home the hardware. And what's really important for them is that at the end of the weekend they know they tried their very best to bring it home. They don't want to be down the road a year or ten years looking back and kicking the dirt thinking they could have done more, or done better. And I also think this team knows that...they are mature, the Seniors have one last shot at the title. They'll leave it all out there, on the ice. This is going to be a great Frozen Four. GO SIOUX!!!!!!!!

It's a 1 game elimination tourney. That means the team with the hot goalie wins. If J-P leaves it all on the ice like he's done all year, there's going to be a new banner hanging in RAE next fall. And there's 24 other guys who will pitch in a bit too. ;-) I like the Sioux 5-2 over BC and 4-0 over Notre Dame for #8. (They are 'due' to beat Mich., and right now they believe...besides, Sauer is going to have an off night.)

I sat right behind JPL last weekend in Madison for three of the six periods. He is, without a doubt, the most impressive goalie I've seen at this level. If the starting goalie for all but 1 game on the team with the toughest schedule in the NCAA puts up the best numbers....well...I'd say that, right there, is reason enough to land him on the Hat Trick list. But no, he was left off for some reason. Maybe because the selection committee just couldn't decide how to differentiate between a goal scorer and a goal tender...I don't know. So, here it is. JPL, this is for you dude....You are the best goalie I've seen in a Sioux sweater, and I've seen a few over the years. I stand up and applaud the year you've put in between the pipes, and I look forward to watching you in your last two games as the Sioux goalie. And I look forward to standing and cheering you and your teammates as you hoist the NCAA D1 trophy above your heads. You will be long remembered by the Fighting Sioux "family" and their fans for the seasons you've had. My best to you and yours.

I was also surprised to see so many empty seats in the Kohl center. But it was sure fun battling the badger student section cheer for cheer. Hats off to Wisky, they put up a heckuva effort...but this Sioux team knows what it takes to win. On to Denver...where the Sioux have unfinished business with the Eagles. Something about dueling goose-eggs, but my memory is foggy... But here's the deal. 3 years to the FF...and no hardware. Yet. It's time for #8. GO SIOUX!!!!

Lower level seats are going fast....but I've got mine. See you all in Mad-town! GO SIOUX!!!!!!! #8 awaits....

I totally agree NDH. This team is on a mission. CC was the first team to find that out. There will be four more. Bring 'em on...

If UM can top CC then the Sioux can beat 'em too. Let's run 'em out the zamboni doors! ;-)

Huge congratulations to JP and TJ. Kudos on an excellent season, both of you!