NorthDakotaHockey

The Minnesota Daily, the official student publication of the U of M, has announced the following. In order to quell the groundswell of discontent over the state of hockey in the so-called State of Hockey, and to satisfy the riotous discontent of the school's brain trust, its students, University officials are contemplating hanging yet another banner from the rafters of The John. This one, to be stitched from a load of Mr. Holl's now worthless "0.6" t-shirts, will forever commemorate for all of the fans in need of some justification for another season-ending shortcoming of their self annointed golden boys, the Choker's semi-final win over North Dakota. The banner will hail that win as one of the program's Top Six (in honor of the stacked Big Ten) Victories of ALL TIME. A gala banner hanging celebration is planned for the weekend when the Gophers do not travel out east to meet a non-conference foe outside of The John. Kool-Aid and jelly rolls will be served. Fans will be specifically asked to arrive early for this important program ceremony. Even though most will of course miss it, the announcement might actually get the building half full by the five minute mark of the first period.

When we finally admit that we are powerless over siouxsports.com — and that our lives have become unmanageable as a result. I've a support group going. Strictly anonymous. All you need to do is show up and say, "Hi, my name is Scott." We will all great you with a rousing "Hi Scott!" It might be the first time that you have heard your real name in years. Funny thing, it is our real names that give us the anonymity that is crucial to our recovery, and to reclaiming our real identity.

Invite them over. Tee up the Final Five game from March 16, 2012. Tell them it is the Frozen Four. Sounds like they wouldn't have a clue. Listen to them bark for a couple of periods, and then give them some rope. The bottom end of the gene pool in the Gopher hockey fan base is a lot more watered down than the bottom end of the gene pool in the North Dakota hockey fan base. My experience anyway. Nice to see that your spelling is improving.

In Grand Forks with my parents. Both the epitome of Sioux Hockey pride and tradition for over fifty years. They are no longer able to travel to see the team, so some of us will travel there and enjoy the Frozen Four on the television with them. Priceless.

A great No. 8 highlight stoneySIOUX!! Thanks for sharing. The clip in many ways best highlights the difference in the philosophies and practices of the two programs. That was a great night. As will next Thursday be a great night. Keep those highlights coming.

SOLD

I have THREE (3) Frozen Four tickets for sale. Section 120, Row 4. Section next to net, full view of ice. My receipt cost is $710 for all three. Will sell for $230 per ticket which is face value. I'll eat the fees for a solid stock reliable buyer. fortparker911@msn.com

Life is changing and therefore sadly we are not going for several good reasons. Besides, I am superstitious and, truth be told, am probably a jinx to boot. So too might be many of you. Anyway, I have THREE (3) Frozen Four tickets for sale. Section 120, Row 4. Section next to net, full view of ice. My receipt cost is $710 for all three. $230 per ticket face, a $5 handling fee, and a $15 "convenience" fee. Will fairly sell for this price, PLUS cost of express shipping if necessary. SOLD SOLD SOLD

Not singling you out by any stretch stoney. As I recall, lots for folks were simply writing Ferris and the WCHA off for little good reason and some even trying to set North Dakota up for failure. Ferris was "good" enough to pound 44 shots on Gothberg. With many quallity chances. Not many teams have done that against us all year. If not for Zane, the boys might be getting ready to load up the seed planters in The Valley. Instead, they are still in the hunt for a National Championship. All good if not great things for all of us. The Sioux won the game. We are going to Philly and Ferris State is going home. Not because we were the "better" team last night, but because Gothberg kept us in a game that could have easily ended 3-1 in regulation. With Ferris moving on. It's all rear view mirror stuff now. Ultimately, you were and are right. The Sioux are "better" than Ferris State. That's why we won. The "better" team always wins the hockey game. And the "best" team always wins the National Championship. That's just the way it goes. Any arguments to the contrary break down into plain silliness. Let's go Sioux!!

Great idea. How is it that I could not think of that?? Cripes almighty. I am so stupid. Not stupid enough, however, to ever lose faith in the boys, the coaches, and the solid fans who together comprise North Dakota Hockey. What's a dvr??

Those who follow college hockey a bit more closely than others knew all along and full well that Ferris State is no slouch and a very very talented and well coached hockey team. They took it to us non-stop and easily could, and even should, have won the game. Those who were trashing Ferris State, and the WCHA, simply need to study more and say less. The WCHA should be commended for the showing that it made in the college hockey world this season.

My mistake Tyler. I see you list yourself as a sports photographer. Very cool. Enjoy the ride. Probably one of the most satisfying professions in all of the land for those folks who have the skill and the passion to chase it. Have fun. Keep the hockey shots coming. Welcome to the board. A great page on The Facebook too!! Following you. Naturally, I have lots of influential friends there. Or not.

A bit of a luxury as North Dakota hockey fans who are now planning a trip to Philly can get the jump on tickets, seats, and hotels over fans of the Chokers or the Clowns. Surprisingly, perhaps, the NCAA is still selling some tickets. USCHO.com fan forum is always a good place to find tickets, normally if not always at cost, from good hockey fans. I have never had a problem there. Four, three, two, one. The boys are going to Philly to get this thing done.

Great for Hennessy. Finest play-by-play in the land. Those television guys were so absolutely brutal that I almost tried to synch up TH and the TV.

Wow!! Very very nicely done Tyler. It is great to see something like this as a tribute to the arena, the program, and all who are associated with it. A very nice breath of fresh air from much of the tripe that clutters many of the pages of siouxsports.com these days. You planning to go into the film industry? A school project? Or just a labor of love born out of your long standing affection for North Dakota Hockey, the Ralph Engelstad Arena, and the lasting legacy that is The Fighting Sioux?? Now, off to peruse the insidiously insipid tripe that is no doubt still raging across the forum. No doubt, most folks are in from the ledges, at least for today. All of the naysayers should be cleaning their rooms, lest their momma get angry with them. The bandwagon that separately follows The Faith Train is rapidly filling up with the half-a-hearts who sometimes call themselves North Dakota hockey fans . . . . . At least when it is convenient for them to do so. The Hak Haters are running for the hills, but rearming themselves just in case the boys do not get the job done. Don't need any of those folks in the foxholes of life. Off to Philly in search of Number 8. I said it long ago, and I'll say it again. This team, and this season, is special. For many reasons, very few of which are important to most of the folks on this forum. It is time. Well done. Thanks for sharing. Long Live the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota U!!!

Thanks.

What station is Ferris - Colgate on please? Sprig, thanks for the jalepeno sticks. Wow. Delicious.

The WCHA rises again. North Dakota beats St. Cloud, and Mankato State beats Union. North Dakota raises the banner.

St. Clair, Colten.

There is a fair exception to most every rule . . . . And you did indeed give it to the kid!! Great that he is thrilled. As all kids are with game pucks.

Your memory will fade with age . . . . And with kids bringing you trials and tribulations. Thanks. Again. As always. Four more and this team is National Champs. I believe. That this. Is The Year.

There was at least one Final Five at Target Center when the Xcel was being built. Can't remember the year but was probably '99 or '00.

Yes, I waited too long on the pucks too. Two guys waiting to buy both wanting the last puck. One guy was me. The other a rich landowner from Valley City. I was out bid. One more thing that I actually thought was pretty cool and even old school. The crew shoveling the ice were high schooler kids, not women in tight shorts and low cut shirts. Took awhile getting used to it, but it was nice. Except that they need to teach those kids how to drill in the post anchors a bit deeper . . . .

When Target Center was built, it was done so as a multi-purpose arena. Hopes of landing an NHL franchise were still high. The entire concrete floor raises up five feet, or slightly more, to make better hockey sight lines. Hydraulic system. Goes down for basketball to allow for more seats going down to courtside. If one was close to the ice in the corner, as were my seats until we moved, you could see that the floor was raised up as there was a drop off accessible only to arena staff. I did not hear that they put the ice in back in December. I suppose that they could have and simply covered it for three months. I don't recall an ice show being there recently. Anyway, at ice level Row A, the seats are actually a bit down in the well. Would be nice if they lowered the floor a foot or so for those in the first row. Certainly not on the glass seating like at The Ralph or the Xcel. The Frozen Faceoff program also mentions the design on the floor going up and down for hockey. The entire concrete slab.