NorthDakotaHockey

I have always hoped that the crowd, led by the students, would get in the habit of really rocking the house with a full decibel singing of the National Anthem. Besides, that guy we have now could use some help. This would be way for NDU to distinguish itself. Become known as the place that blows the roof off with the Anthem. And the school song. And maybe even God Bless America before the third period puck drop. F'Hawk all those other stupid cheers. Let's get original. And be different. No?

1966. The teams were ranked No. 1 and 2 in the country. Sports Illustrated was there. Memorial Stadium was packed. Extra bleachers were brought in to fill the north end zone before there were ever any bleachers in the north end zone. It was a beautiful fall day. The year before, the Bison won 6-3 in Fargo on their way to a National Championship. The Sioux went 9-1 in '65 and pounded the piss out of Northern Illinois in the Mineral Water Bowl. These were truly the best teams in the country. So, in '66, with the Bison coming to Grand Forks in late October, anticipation was again running high. Both teams were loaded with talent. Both teams were 5-0, although NDSU's wins to date included a then patsie Saint Thomas College. North Dakota's roster included four players who would play in the NFL. Errol Mann. Corey Colehour. Pete Pornish. Roger Bonk. Ron Bergh. Jim Hester. Just to name a few of the Fighting Sioux. It was the largest crowd to ever see a football game anywhere. Ever. Or at least so goes the legend fifty years later. A hard fought game ended with a late NDSU field goal, into those new bleachers, and an 18-15 final. I was crushed. We were all crushed. Except the maggots from the farm school to the south who were run out of town on a rail as quickly as could be done. We hated the Bison, and their fans. In fairness, they hated us too. Probably mostly because Sioux fans were then, and clearly still are, just plain smarter than Bison fans. Generally in better shape and much better looking too. 1966. The Sioux went out to Bozeman the following week and were handed their heads by the Bobcats, 59-21. Those were the only two losses of the year. This was also the year in which the Potato Bowl first came to town, a 41-0 drubbing of the state school from the junior potato producing state in the country, Idaho State. The schedule featured heavyweights every week of the season. Under Whitey Helling, the Sioux were co-champs of the NCC in 1966, then easily the best conference that college football has ever seen, bar none. North Dakota went on to end its season by drubbing Parsons College in the Pecan Bowl to finish 8-2. The mid-sixties were the hey days of this rivalry. Don't let anyone ever tell you any differently. Today, fifty years later? UND 24. NDSwho 23. Book it.

Actually Shawn-O, I think the face value depends on whether you are sitting on the glass, in the lower bowl, or in the upper bowl. Don't recall those numbers right off hand, but they are different. By way of example, the seats on the glass are, as I recall, $600. One row back they probably drop to about $250 or so. Go to the upper deck and they are probably within gfhockey's quoted range.

The PIG1 can always bid to play at the Ridder Arena. They get a full arena, maybe, to make it look like the hockey fans locally actually like to get out and watch games involving teams other than their beloved Chokes. The place has some camera stands. The bid price would be pretty reasonable and, as it is all about money, the PIG1 saves alot of it. Full building, maybe. Rabid fans. Maybe. Good camera angles with seats in the stands. Yup. No beer sales so no one is offended. Check. Ridder Arena. The winner goes to The Dance. Apparently, in that hotbed of hockey talent, everyone else stays home. Wow. Mariucci, you going to Manchester to support your boys? You go to Detroit to support your boys? Heck, did you even go to The John to support your boys? The trifecta. Golden Choker fans. More loyal to their television sets than they are to anything else in the world of college hockey. It's a match made in heaven. Minnesota, the PIG1, and the boob tube.

While it has probably already been noted somewhere else in these pages, the Target Center is going to prove to just be a flyover for the NCHC. Once the X's contract with the WCHA expires, likely soon, the NCHC will have the financial firepower to outbid the WCHA for the Xcel Center. NCHC goes to Saint Paul, the WCHA plays at the Target Center, and the PIG10, in its Minnesota years, will play in whatever local television studio is willing to provide a sheet of ice and room for thirty or forty seats, a few cameras, and a table and background for the PIG10 Network talking heads, who are largely clueless on the game of hockey, to do their blathering between commercials promoting the PIG10's other sports and products.

Hey Hoggers. I have been quiet. Been working ye olde dink into the dirt on the East Side of Saint Paul both night and day. It's a long sometimes sad story that the Mafia Man knows. Anyway, it's not likely that I am going to be there this year. I hope to be at the games, but not the Hoggsbreath. Saturday morning I have to turn the key, mix the sauce, slaughter the hog, grind the sausage, wash the dishes, fix the sign and count the straws before I am released from my non-paying post to get out to enjoy the greatest game on earth . . . College hockey. The pros can pound sand. I'll be sure to drop off the soon to be famous "last prize standing" Traveling Trophy to this great event. Mafia, be sure that that restaurateur pulls himself away from the mirror long enough to get his ass out on the floor to thank the patrons for showing up and spending our hard-earned dollars at his place. He can, and should, do a much better job on this front. Tell him that I said so. See y'all at the arena.

We have five (5) tickets for the Saturday NCHC clash between North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth. Section 110, Row G. Thirty bones each. These have been posted in several locations so they may or may not still be available when you inquire. +++SOLD++++

The lights on the outside of the building that once proudly shined the news HOME OF THE FIGHTING SIOUX now proudly shine the words HOME OF NORTH DAKOTA HOCKEY. Look for my tent, lawn chair, and hot plate outside of the Northwest Entrance. I am too slow to get myself out of the prevailing winds. Go Sioux!!

We have five (5) in Section 110, Row G. $25 each. Pick up in Grand Forks near The Alerus Center. ***SOLD***

The Fighting Who? A big fancy ? for the logo. Like The Riddler's. We don't know who we are ever since the NCAA and the world of weenies took away are identity. We don't know WHO we are anymore. Same chants. Same cheers. Just the Fighting Who. In the NCAA's face and they would not be able to do or say a thing.

One single for Saturday. Section 102, Row 2. Behind net that ND attacks twice. $37.50, which is face of 35 plus fee of $2.50. Call or text number above. Like I say, Roomy ice level seating on risers. No one behind you. Wow!

Tickets are gone. MIGHT be one left. If interested in a single, text or call me. Thanks.

We have four or five extras for the Saturday night game in Saint Cloud, November 22. Section 120, Row 2. These tickets are behind the net that North Dakota attacks twice. Roomy. Great view of entire ice. Action up close. $37.50 each, which is what I paid, including fees. Face of $35. Call or text 612.201.3239 if interested.

We have four in Section 110, Row G. End ND defends twice looking toward benches. $100 for all four. Tix in GF near Alerus. Can and will meet outside arena an hour before puck drops for a trusted buyer. Call or text 612.201.3239. Tim.

My good buddy Oxbow Bob (no, not the Oxbow here but he is a fine chap as well) has two center ice seats for the Saturday game, November 8. He bought them on StubHub and they are secure electronic transfers. NDH, me, will guarantee it. Section 108 Row F Seats 13-14 He paid $135 which StubHub claims is face. He may be willing to negotiate a shade. If interested, e-mail me at fortparker911@msn.com Or PM me here.

A buddy of mine is looking to move two fine center ice tickets, twelve rows up, for the Saturday game I believe. He bit the StubHub weenie on them earlier. Now must let them go. If you want two, or remain in need, PM me.

Just looking at this thread. I've got a green #29 Genoway green. Game worn though. Saw earlier that game worns not wanted. PM me if any interest. I don't check back here often in the off season, but will make it a point to do so.

The Triouxper was a great guy . . . . I know a few folks recently passed who have been and will be pulling some strings up in the Big Pond. Good things are gonna happen soon to fans of North Dakota Hockey everywhere.

So sorry to hear this news my friend. A nice tribute to a man who left his loved ones much too soon.

The hair bands of the '80's were not much of an improvement over the disco sounds of the 70's. Both sucked in their own special and painful ways. Two decades of music wasteland . . . . Unless one was mining a few irch veins of real talent, and music, that have always been either buried deep or just beyone the horizon. of the cutting edge. In any era. And of course The King transcended them all and is still one of the most relevant musicians in the world today . . . . After fifty years. Still playing packed arenas and the finest solo venues all over the world. Not the Shooting Star. Long live The King, his band, his music, and his message.

That job requires that one be able to keep their eyeballs in their sockets. I could not and promptly lost the job. Not sure that you could either.

Damned straight we are. The CC men's hockey head coaching job is one of the premier job opportunities in all of college hockey. A great program with fine facilities and a reasoned fan base in a fine American city. A great school. There are few coaches around, employed or not, who would not love to have, or return to, that job. I suspect that Lucy agonized over quietly inquiring about the possibility of his returning there to finally bring that school a title. With talent recruited and cultivated by his predecessors. Don's specialty. Guentzel takes over at U of M. Everyone's dream, except mine. If it is in fact offered to me, I will probably accept it. Whoever gets the job will no doubt soon return CC to its preeminent position in the world of the greatest sport on earth. CC shall rise again. And all of the NCHC shall benefit from it.

Yes. Rest well. There is no doubt. Nor much room for reasoned debate. The kid is too smart to be swayed by a few pieces of silver that will still be there later, and when he has much work to do. That work is best and most productively done at North Dakota.

I don't think that Rocco is going anywhere soon. Other than back to The Ralph to work on his skill sets and game. Probably for two more years. A great kid and a fine player, but he's not going to stay in the NHL beyond a cup of coffee. He's capable of doing alot more with his life than toiling through the minor leagues. Here's saying he stays, gets a degree, lands a Championship, or two, and ultimately decides that there are many more important things to pursue in life than a pro hockey career.

The GPL folks might be a bit thin-skinned. I believe that they will sometimes lock out new members during rivalry weeks to keep folks from trolling. Of course, that also locks out folks looking to simply engage in spirited, and even smart-assed discussion as well. They are prone to lock threads, sometimes with justification. In short, if you ain't hard on the Kool-Aid, there might be a tendency to give a guy the boot. More so than here anyway. I have no problem with Jupiter. Even threw him a donation on his plea for contributions to keep his site afloat. He doesn't appear to get nearly the traffic that is found here. I am not aware of GPL ever actually changing the content of a post though. So be it. Time for me, and perhaps alot of us, to go out and discover that there is a lot more to life than GPL and siouxsports.com. Especially in the off season, eh? Wilbur perhaps has it right. These boards can be a sink hole if we let them.