NorthDakotaHockey

Oh, I almost forgot to opine. Mega arena hockey has got to be a near joke. Although there is something to be said for lacing 'em up and facing 'em off on an outdoor rink.

An off week. Here is the Frozen Tundra Classic.. 75,000 for the Cold War!! I can't believe that the NCAA is putting the Frozen Four in Ford Field. Cripes almighty . . . . The Gophers are looking at playing the Bulldogs in the MetroDome next year for the Hall of Fame game. A $600,000 pricetag may move that game to the Xcel. Should be fun anyway. It is going to be on the FSN. Saturday. 2:30 or so.

Right to the heart of the matter rochsioux. Young and inexperienced, but growing older and more experienced each day. I am still supremely confident that we are coming upon another great Sioux ride. As someone else said, Jordan is driving the bus, all the way to Milwaukee. Really nice work on the goalie math stuff. See you around the arenas.

Nothing wrong at all with this road split. Nothing at all. Ain't like we got swept at home by a lower tier team. Sure, the backs are a bit on the wall. All in all, little is wrong with that. We've got a week off, then a key home series with a solid Duluth club that finally remembered what it is like to win last night. Then a crucial trip to Denver. A split is critical there. Then, wrapping it up with Tech. Can't afford a loss there. That 5-6 match-up in the WCHA first round is going to be a barn burner. Losing Jones for the third period last night was not good. Five guys rotating in thin air, playing against some rabid Tigers in dire need of a win. That third period "collapse" was no collapse at all. Just another Saturday night in the WCHA. I have no doubt that the boys will be using the break well, and that they will return to the ice for the stretch drive ready, willing, and well able. Git them West Regional tickets now. Sioux-Gophers are on a potential collision course. March 25.

Funny. The radio feed started to drag and is now dead for me.

There will be the Saturday night late game whistle coming up to give the Sioux a shot at a game-tying power play. It's an unwritten WCHA rule.

That's a big 10-4. CC has really stepped up, just like the top shelf WCHA program they are. C'mon Sioux. Score.

No more standing around! Time for a memorable third period rally! Kaip. Sum gum.

We are not MafiaMan. No Tiger trip this year. Big birthday party for a bunch of 7th and 8th grade girls tonight!!

Too bad is wasn't a DQ. A good time to bury the Tigers for the year, and hope that we do not see them again this year . . . . Although a Final Five game with them would be fun.

Great work Rico. Sioux. Wearing the black. Me thinks that they will be wearing the road black on the road from here on in. Maybe they oughta try it at home. I wonder if the WCHA has a "home uniform/white" rule?

Big big step up game for the boys. Carry it on tomorrow night into the break. The rest of the hockey season started tonight. I am really really impressed, but then again, I have been really really impressed by these guys all season long.

You may not know me raynman, but you should know me well enough to know that I love you, as I do all solid Fighting Sioux fans. Ain't nothing wrong with being a savant. Even an idiot savant.

Not a good weekend to be shortening up the bench what with the thin air in a city that is over a mile high. These guys are going to be sucking for air. Everybody plays. Everybody contributes. I'll be doing my share in my chair with a bowl of chips on my belly and a bottle of beer in my hand.

My correspondent who is on the ground, and actually embedded in Colorado Springs, just filed a report. He was driving by the CC campus and just happened to see Owens and Hakstol strolling together, chewing the fat, getting into a car. Sadly, my correspondent could not verify who was getting into the driver's seat. I think that Hakstol is going to be in the driver's seat, driving this team to at least three, if not four, points this weekend. Drop the puck!!

10-4 Sagard. Point well made and well taken on point well made long ago. I did not realize that Da John was on that '40 team. I love that 7>4 moniker. After all, the Gophers did win one on a total home ice advantage for the starved masses, who had not tasted victory since JC was President. Funny think, JC is mighty big in the news these days. Besides, as 7>4 pointed out long ago, his moniker is not a comparison of championships, but is instead a comparison of the number of hairs on the top of his head to the number of hairs on the top of mine.

It's da raynman. Raynman just might be one of those idiot savants, just like the real Rainman. Of course you are entitled to your opinion. This is just one of the many reasons why freedom and democracy are so great. Don't make me have to call in the Triouxper to give you a whuppin'.

Goon, you heretic!! This said, you can jump in my foxhole for cover anytime. That way, I could give you some good earnest Sioux preachin' until the shellin' stops and you are again made a believer.

I am pretty sure that the Gophers will never see the inside of the Sioux locker room. The building has about ten of 'em. I am sure that no team will be given the Sioux locker room. The four tournament teams will dress in three of the visiting rooms, all very nice, with the Sioux taking up their usual spot.

This will be a great series. The Tigers, as always, are loaded. They remember the sting of 2004 when they were hosting the West Regional and were left outside looking in. Denver. Sioux. Holy Cross. Miami. We all remember what happened from there. I am sure that the Tigers would love to lay a world of hurt on the Sioux's hosting plans. A tougher series the boys have not yet faced this season. Facing a seasoned team. Facing a seasoned team smarting from four straight losses themselves. Facing a disciplined and well-coached team. Laboring under the thin air. The consequent need to rotate four strong shifts, and three solid defensive pairings. The importance of everyone stepping their game and effort up three or four notches. It was about this time last year when the Sioux went to Colorado Springs and dropped two straight, despite dominating play, especially on Saturday night. We saw a team grow up that weekend. We will do the same this weekend. Anyone who is doubting the abilities of Hakstol, Eades, and Berry should really know better, or they should admit that they really know little at all. These guys are all top shelf coaches and motivators. I cannot imagine a better combination of coaches behind the bench, past staffs included. College hockey seasons really start in earnest come February 1. Drop the puck. Don't sleep on buying those West Regional tickets. They are going fast, and it will be a weekend to remember. For those of us who believe . . . .

Why not get the jump on your buddies by going over to Ticketmaster? I know. Typing in that little security code can be tough. There are still plenty of good seats there. I wouldn't waste anytime buying now lest you get shut out. Better cover your base over in Green Bay as well. Careful what you wish for. I will be thrilled to see the Gophers in March. This said, I will trade you four of my choice West Regional tickets for four seats at the Frozen Four. Anywhere in the building. I'll even pay you the difference in face value.

It would be great to bring further legions of faithful followers to Denver for this critical series. I have heard from some in the know that in years past the Sioux followers are very close to the number of DU fans in the building. We will have six in the stands, God willing, sitting center ice behind the Denver bench, pulling for the Sioux. We bought our tickets when they first went on sale and were stunned to see the center ice seats from a 2x defender being made available to the public. It is going to be a huge series, as they all are from here on in. YaneA, I hope Al gets the bus and you get to make the trip.

I'm in. All in. 7>4 is right about the CC series being the springboard last year. Both road series in Colorado will be huge. Better up the conditioning, as that elevation change can wreak havoc in the third periods of close games. I'm still buying anyone's West Regional tickets if they are serious about jumping.

Damned straight Dam Strait. There is still plenty of hockey to be played.

Boy was that a sweet goal. Great fake with the blade of the stick. Showed goalie he was thinking far side, made the fractional adjustment to the blade, and flicked the puck in short side. I was just saying that Oshie should start shooting a bit more instead of trying to make the last pass. Assist. JPar. Big big goal.