[It's time for a coaching change]

In the middle of the week, it was noted on local media that one of the reasons that the kids pick UND is because they know they are going to have a good chance to play at the next level. The trick is to surround them with players that can add to the full circle. I agree, it is so dis heartening to see Notre Dame winning, but, who do they have that is going onto the next level. I can't name one. Now, if we can just get a mix of leaders and good talent like a bina or trupp to surround them. We will win one, Just ban BC from the tourney, LOL (PSST look at this a change at goalie, novel idea.)

Oh, Look what a Goalie change can do??

[It's time for a coaching change]

Haha, I guess since I am from Colorado, I still have the Avs!! Uh oh, should I have not said that here? My bad!!

My hockey year is over with the Sioux loss, who gives a rats rear about pro hockey. College hockey is my favorite. I hear they have a team that plays in St. Paul, but we all know that they just built the X so that us Sioux fans will have a second best arena to go watch the Sioux play.

[It's time for a coaching change]

I apologize if I misunderstood. My point is that the current staff is about as good as it gets IMO. They bring in good talent every year and they coach that talent up to a consistently high level. And occasionaly they sign a very top end talent. Also, they have not recruited a top end kid who was a one and done. That is becoming a nice bonus for UND and I have to think it is because of the work the coaches do behind the scenes creating the team atmosphere, etc..

BD

In the middle of the week, it was noted on local media that one of the reasons that the kids pick UND is because they know they are going to have a good chance to play at the next level. The trick is to surround them with players that can add to the full circle. I agree, it is so dis heartening to see Notre Dame winning, but, who do they have that is going onto the next level. I can't name one. Now, if we can just get a mix of leaders and good talent like a bina or trupp to surround them. We will win one, Just ban BC from the tourney, LOL (PSST look at this a change at goalie, novel idea.)

[It's time for a coaching change]

Hak inherited the team that had just lost Zach and Bo to the pros after losing 1-0 in CC to Denver. There were alot of good players left from Blais but Hak & Co added some very nice players (Toews, Oshie, Duncan, etc..).

BD

I do not agree with you on this one. I belive that hak maybe did the scouting, but I do believe that dean signed them. I'll do some checking into this.

[It's time for a coaching change]

I agree, this team was carried all year by JPL and Oshie. I think Hak deserves credit for getting this team to the Frozen Four. That said, I am a little worried about our lack of scoring. It sure as hell isn't going to get better next year. The only thing I'm sick and tired of as a long time fan, is this staffs complacency and acceptance of non-skill players. It's a given that this team is going get off to a terrible start to the season and sleepwalk through games. You can get away with that to a point, but I think the last 4 years have proven you can't win a title that way. When BC brought the puck into the zone against us tonight, I was always worried that I was about to witness another goal, no matter who has on the ice for them. Watching UND this year, we could have a 3 on 0 and I wouldn't even get excited unless Oshie, Duncan, VV, Kozek, or Trupp was on the ice. I've seen enough of these stiffs who stumble over their own skates trying to put a puck on net. And it's not just UND. It's the rest of the WCHA as well. We can brag(rightfully so) about how we are the best hockey conference in the country, but we also play the ugliest style of hockey anywhere in the country. The refs are a part of that, but so are the coaches who are so enamored with non-skilled, all physical players. We either need to make up our mind if we're going to be a trap-style defensive team like Wisconsin, or we need to higher our expectations for our forwards.

How many times did the guys not control a pass. Yes that has to do some witht he other team, but there were so many passed that were right off of thier sticks. I totally agree that this is one of the least talented groups that we have had in a long time. And for that exact reason, I think we are in great hand at head coach. We had one line that was able to play a bunch in the playoffs because of the TV timeouts. Duncan and Oshie are probably wondering why they feel so much lighter. Its because they had to carry the teams offense. the whole league was down in scoring, because we don't have good players that make it past 2 years. Then there is the once in a while you have seniors who do play all four year. But they are the ones who probably will be in the minors or not in hockey after they graduate. The skill has totally gone ou the door with this new NHL collective bargaining agreement. Lets blame them, not the coaches.

[It's time for a coaching change]

What is a coach going to do to help Finley gain more speed. Finley did not get burned on either of Gerbes first two goals and he was not on the ice for the thrid one that was put in the roof of the net. First was Genoway missing the puck and stumbling to create a 2 on 1 and the second was Genoway (fairly certain) that over committed and allowed Gerbe to get the puck in the open. From their it is a race and Gerbe wins every time. So by my count the only thing you can blame on Hack & Co for is recruiting a big physical d-men. Which by the way is one of the main things most Sioux fans always want. They hated Lee because he was finesse and they hate Finley because he lumbers.

What F____ can they do. Not every play that comes to the Sioux is Jonny Toews. Most have flaws. The coaches help to correct the flaws and put players in good situations. But that becomes harder as the year goes on and you face better competition.

I understand frustration over a loss like this. I know the f---ingheimer was flying around the house quite a bit earlier. But I think calling for the coaches head is way over the top. This group is top notch. Others may not share that viewpoint but IMO those people are just plain spoiled from all the success that Hak & Co have had recently. They forget that Gino and Blais had down years. In fact Gino had a down decade.

BD

No it was bina that got beat the second goal

[It's time for a coaching change]

K, just a few thing going throught my head, 1st of all congrats to the Eagles for the woopin we endured.

2nd, will someone please send the blacksmith, the wheels seam to have fallen off the bandwagon.

3rd, Now we will really see what kind of a coach Hak is. I have a feeling we are in really good hands. Correct me if I am wrong. Are the Seniors going out, the last of the players Blais recruited. Or do we have another year left?

[Help Wanted]

You can do BIS to COS leaving 12APR return 15APR for $189 ($222 w/tax) on NW. This would get you to the Championship game but not in one day, there will be no deals for a Sunday or Monday return....still checking for Thursday.

EDIT: Doesn't look promising for Thursday, over 1K for an overnighter. Checked Fargo too. The best thing to do is check sites like Travelocity, Orbitz, etc, as well as the airline that serves those airports (sometimes you can find last minute deals) daily, even several times a day, as the prices change quite often. Sorry. Good Luck.

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna really try to do this. I have been a Sioux Hockey fan since 1987 and one of my ultimate goals is to be at a Frozen Four with the Sioux playing. I've been to The Final Five numerous times, and the Regionals in Minneapolis once. Now it is time to make it to the next step.

[Help Wanted]

I am really toying with the idea of a one day road trip. Does anyone have any ideas of a place where I can get a cheap flight from Bismarck to Denver for Thursday. Is it going to be easy to get tickets also? Give me some advise if you have any.