NorthDakotaHockey

Regardless of who he was mocking, he should not have been mocking anyone in the first place. First, he had no reason to mock as Anderson was calling the game as he saw it. That is the referee's job. Second, Lucia's behavior sets a bad example for his players. Third, he will run the risk of getting his hinder kicked for such behavior. Pitty the school, or the league, has not cracked down on his pettiness already. Yes, Don lost his composure behind the bench, ala Hakstall last year in The John, and Gwozdecky a few weeks back at The Ralph. Lucia's behavior was just as immature as was theirs, and he, and his fans, should own up to it and apologize for it, rather than try to rationalize it away. Lucia and his boys have become the premiere hacks in the league, and they now try to justify it with some drug-induced hallucination that they must do so becuase of the behavior of others, alcohol in the stands and all?? Maybe Maturi oughta sit Don down for some rest, and give the reins back to the ever capable Kenny Jay, er, I mean, Johnny Hill. BTW, I think that Anderson is a good referee. There is a reason that he gets most of the barn burning series. His is a thankless glamorless job that he does well far more often than not. Brent.

Here is saying that the Sioux will continue their stretch run, and that they will make the tournament. The NCAA, taking pleasure in putting the Sioux and the Gophers in the same regional whenever they can, will do so again here. So, the Sioux will be playing in the West Regional at The John. Get your tickets now while they are still available. Time to drive away the bad taste of that Ferris State Bulldog fiasco from a few years back.

For your future reference when dealing with me in the ticket thread, I could not even give my tickets away. Free tickets. Free rides. A bag of donuts. Nothing. No one wanted to sit next to me. I did find someone on the street on Saturday who, reluctantly at first, let me give them a free ticket. Then, once in the building, they sat as far away from me as they could!! Sheesh. I am looking for two lower bowls for the Friday the 13th game. It has a better ring than the Valentine's Day game that will follow.

As usual, I do not have as many friends as I think that I do. I have one, and maybe two, tickets to tonight's game. Section 103, Row 2. End where Sioux attack twice, just off the glass, with a good view to the bench action across the ice. Paid $37.50 or so, and will let go for $35. I might even offer a ride to and from the Anoka/Highway 10 area at around 5:30 if someone from the Twin Cities is interested in biting. PM me, or e-mail me at fortparker911@msn.com.

Here is saying that it will not happen. Not in the lifetimes of most folks on this board. Moreover, with only six teams, I wonder if the new fledgling conference would qualify for the CHA's auto-bid, or if its teams would have to earn their places in the tournament. It would be intellectually dishonest to include Notre Dame in a Big Ten College Hockey Conference, especially seeing how Notre Dame has thumbed its nose at the Big Ten for years. How about the Prima Donna Five Hockey Conference?

Hey, wait fust a gol durn minute. I have worn a prom dress . . . .

Fair enough GG33. Not everyone is going to like everyone. I have seen Lucia speak at a couple of events over the last number of years, and have asked a question or two, respectfully, from the crowd. I do not know how much time he spends with the youth leagues. I am a bit put off by his arrogance, whether real or perceived. When I went back to check my notes, I realized that I was probably thinking about the Gophers last football coach, Glen Mason, when I was dishing the selfish dish. I have been fairly taken to the woodshed and will accept my lickin'. I wish Don all the best on the health front. Beyond that, from his public personna, I don't like the guy. I will leave it at that. Maybe it is the way that he whistles his line changes . . . .

For one example, by pretty much refusing to take his boys out east, or to Bemidji anymore, or to any other non-conference venues outside of The John. Other than the annual deal with MSU, Wisconsin, and Michigan, which is likely driven by other powers that be, when have the Gophers traveled to play someone outside of the conference on ice other than the Excel or The John? College hockey fans deserve to see the New York Yankees every now and then, other than on FSN. Don could do much better for the fans on this front.

Let's get off the high horses, and Sioux Hab-it's back, folks. He is a good solid and knowledgable guy who knows more about the game, and Sioux history, than most on this board. He, like everyone, was rightly concerned for Lucia and his family. No one ever likes to see someone stricken with illness, especially potentially grave illnesses. This said, just because someone is stricken ill does not wash away their shortcomings. I have long believed Lucia to be a self-serving, self-indulgent, condescending self with an agenda that has himself, and pretty much only himself, at the top of the list. He has, in my opinion and with what little public information I have, treated players, fans, and his assistant coaches poorly. Maybe with this most recent bout, he will have an epiphany of sorts and realize that the world does not revolve around Don Lucia and he will become a better coach and public figure because of it. Only time will tell on that front. I like the guy who surmised that maybe the Don started feeling ill when he looked at the schedule in late January and saw the January 9-10 series on the calendar. Who knows. I am happy for him, and for his family, and for all of his fans. This, however, does not automatically make him immune from fair criticism. He is an A#$. Maybe now he will become less of one.

Latest report from the Star & Sickle . . . .Lucia Back Behind Bench

Yikes. It is a feeding frenzy out there for fair priced ducats! These tickets have been claimed by reputable and honorable buyers. I.e. They are GONE. Thanks YaneA. See you around the arenas.

Subject to a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who might want to buy these, we have two singles for both Friday and Saturday games. Friday singles are in Section 107 (row not available as of this post but mid-way I believe) and in Section 102, Row I. Saturday singles are in Section 113, Row N, and Section 115, Row M. We paid $48.60 each through the TicketBastard the day these went on sale to the public, and will take that, plus $1.40, for a total of $50 per ticket. PM me here, or e-mail me at fortparker911@msn.com. One Friday ticket is in GF. The rest are coming by covered wagon from the Twin Cities tomorrow and will be available in GF by 5 p.m. or so. I am a reputable man of word, and trust that any and all buyers will be of similar cut.

These tickets have been sold.

Thanks. Good luck with the tournament. You are lucky, as all hockey parents are lucky, to travel with and watch your kids play this time of year. Coaching is even better. Kids are grown and gone in a heartbeat. Sioux hockey, or shall I say North Dakota Hockey, shall be around forever!!

Sheesh. We was gonna make big drive for game but got scared by TV weather lady. Now, it looks like the drive from the Twin Cities up 94 & 29 might not have been so bad today. Anyone with some first hand reports to ease my frustration? Oh well, I found a ride for Ma and Pa to the game, and the satellite is teed up. The Sparkle Party, where I will shine tonight, will have to wait. Go Sioux. Big roll starts tonight. This team is damned good, and they are going to start loading the bandwagon back up tonight. If you ain't riding the bandwagon, you be riding the honey wagon.

Sorry for any confusion. These tickets are $48.60 each, which is what we paid for each of them the day that they went on sale to public through the TicketBastard.

We have three single seats for sale in the upper deck for the Friday January 9 tilt. 314/Row E 314/Row H 302/Row K Paid $48.60 with all nicks and fees. Will take the same, presumably rounded up to $50 on your good will if willing.

Probably Ned Harkness. If Ned is no longer in coaching, here is saying that it just ain't gonna happen.

Harrer was one hell of a player and a goal scorer to boot. He had a slapper that lends credence to your handle. How you doing Tim?

VandeVelde.

Now I don't know or care who Bill is, but this is funny right here. Man, I sure do envy right about now all of the Sioux fans who are in, or will soon be in, the Joe Louis Arena tonight.

Real real cool. Morelli was one Ralph's inner circle guys. I think that Morelli was in charge of building The Ralph, at least from an owner's on site representative perspective. He, like many, will probably be forever stunned that folks will pay a buck or more for a bottle of water but as long as they do, hey, why not sell it to them!

Saw them at The Sioux Shoppe in The Ralph. Heard that they were on sale at the University Memorial Union. Did not see any at Scheel's or the Home of Economy last week. This is all I know. As usual, it ain't much.

Git well soon, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays. You are the consummate Sioux fan. I know that it kills you to not be there.

YaneA. You ain't at the game?!? Keeping an eye on Bowser at home tonight?