Superman0099

An open style of play could give the Sioux some good opportunities. Players like Lundbohm, Parise, Bochenski, Spiewak, and Notterman, are all pretty good at those rushes. Containing Kunitz will probably be left up to Hale/McMahon/PrPich(maybe?). They seem to do a good job at that, I would bet Blais matches them up with Kunitz. Also, from what I've heard, Ferris had trouble with Michigans defensemen, who are not that big. I'm hoping this will be the difference in the game (in our favor). Even teams with big forwards had trouble getting through Schneider, Hale, Greene, Jones, Fuher, Marvin, all 6'2''+, 215+. The undersized Ferris lineup may have some trouble with the UND giants. Another thing, our fourth line (Genoway, Connelly, Canady) has played quite well lately, containing the puck and cylcing in the offensive zone. Hopefully these guys will step up, as they are a pretty big line, and could be quite effective in overpowering/tiring out the Ferris forwards. If you haven't guessed it yet, I think size, and depth are our 2 biggest advantages here in this matchup. Ferris's coach himself basically said they were a one line team, when he said in an interview "We pretty much rely on our first line for scoring". So in a wrap-up, the Sioux will have 1.) More fans 2.) Size/strength advantage 3.) Depth advantage 4.) Experience advantage, and 5.) if Brandt contintues his stellar play, we will be just as solid in net as any team in this regional.

LOL, how about "becuz"?

This is the part that I think UND will have an advantage. Not many teams can get through our huge strong defense, and with David back, FSU may find it nearly impossible. However, I wouldn't count them out so soon, they are a program fighting for their first frozen four ever, and they obviously are a good team. I don't think there's any question to the fact that we outman them, but we need to outplay them to win.

Handyman, I agree with you. While Parise is a GREAT player, I just don't think he deserved this honor quite yet. Had he kept up his scoring trend all year, yes, but I think Bochenski or even Stevenson deserved this one more. It's alright though, Sejna will win anyway, and he deserves to, he is hands down the best player in the WCHA, and NCAA.

Yes, this is not a suprise. Even in '97 and 2000 when we won the national titles I remember watching ESPN and them not picking UND as getting very far. That's fine be me, I could care less about what some eastern-biased ESPN guy thinks he knows about college hockey

I think you'll find that Sioux fans feel the same way about Minnesota.

Go to http://www.prideonice.com and post on their message board about it, I'm sure someone there will be able to answer your question.

Handyman: Yes I understand the concept of a checking/grinder line. However, I don't see his performances as dominating. Good luck to the Gophers vs. Mercyhurst. They'll need it

Ferris St. is led by left winger Chris Kunitz, who is a hobey baker finalist, and has 74 points on the season, although he is described as a more defensive forward. They won the CCHA regular season, but lost to Michigan in the final 5-3. Their goalie Mike Brown is suppose to be pretty good. He touts a .927 sv% and a 2.23 gaa. However, I doubt he's any better than Dubie, Berkhoel, Volp, or Reichmuth. The Sioux have faced outstanding goalies all year, Mike Brown will not be anything special. I don't think the Sioux will lose this game, Blais and the boys have way more tourney experience than Ferris, and probably more depth. With David returning, and Brandt at the top of his game, the Sioux should pull this one out.

This is EXACTLY what the sioux need going into the NCAA's. With Brandt playing well lately, David's return could spark the team to a frozen four showing. My guess is he won't be in that bad of shape, he's probably been working out and skating for a couple weeks now.

UND definately could beat them, especially now that Brandt has found his head. The Gophers are playing their best hockey right now, but if you look at the past 8 years or so of the WCHA final five winners, the only ones to ever go past their regional tournaments were the Sioux, and they won national titles. However, that was before the gophers got to play their entire freakin post season on home ice. They will not be so fortunate this year, seeing that the F4 is way out in Buffalo. UND will need to bring their A game against (probably) Ferris, however, I don't think Ferris quite has the depth, especially in the defensive end, but if Mike Brown plays out of his mind they could steal a game from UND. I'm actually hoping they will play Ferris, I want to see how good Kunitz is. I do believe that the only team in the west regional that has a legitimate chance at beating UMN is the Sioux. On a side note.... MN's 4th line dominating other team's 1st line? Scoring a goal doesn't mean dominating.

Well it's hard to compare forwards and defensemen, but in the past few games, my vote goes to Jake Brandt. He's playing unbelievable right now, and that's good, considering we are heading to the big dance But we can't win games when we score 1 goal. We need guys like Massen and Notterman and Fylling to step up right now.

OK, I can't decide if this is good news or bad. Good: We get to stay out west (probably) for the NCAA regionals Bad: We'll have to play the defending national champs on their home ice in order to get to the F4 I know we can beat them there (we did it once already) but I also know how tough of a game this is. Would we be better off getting sent east to play in Providence?

check that again... you've lost twice to us in the last 2 seasons It's ok, it was an off year for the sioux last year, but i think we're headed in the right direction.

Anyone have, or know where to find video clips of UND's '97 or '00 chamionship runs?

We still beat Minnesota at Marriucci

If they would have won the final five they would have gotten a 2 seed possibly, but they are far from a #1 seed.