NorthDakotaHockey

Rube Bjorkman's gentlemanly ways and quizzicle stares. All of which led to a half full building, which allowed anyone who wanted to try their hand at hockey photos to sit damned near anywhere and shoot to their heart's content. Even .500 hockey, or even .370 hockey, is better than no hockey at all. Let's have all of the current crop of crybabies put this fact in their pipe and smoke it, eh?

Geez. Hope Brady is alright. The game tomorrow has all the makings to be a classic Saturday night clash of titans in the WCHA. Sioux had the better hand most of the night, and were really taking to the Tigers. Lammy was hung out to dry on the two CC goals. CC defense blocked a ton of shots, and McElhinney made some fine saves. Bummer. Tiger fans were, surprisingly, a bit classless. Barking at us after the game. No problem there. We gave it right back to them. Nice diving team. Really nice Runner-Up Banners. We were in the end where the Sioux shot twice, bench side. A big game-ending pushing match down near the glass between some fine Sioux fans and some CC hacks. Not sure what happened, but it was a dour end to a fun night. The tensions were high on the ice as well. Hate to say it, but the World Arena crowd has it all over The Ralph crowd, all things considered. Many more fans, much fewer socialites. We gotta get The Ralph to a place where opponents fear to tread. Oh well. A loss to the No. 1 team. A tough tough loss. The Sioux played well. As far as I am concerned, the pieces all remain in place for a run to St. Paul, to Mariucci, and to Columbus. Just need to have a few more pucks find the back of the net is all, eh?

Pundits and Naysayers. Gotta love 'em. No way we can beat CC? Or anyone else above .500? Bagged the season when it is only just beginning for everyone? C'mon Goon, you are smarter than this, and are a better fan of the team as well, ain't chu? "Appears that they have issues in the lockerroom?" Umm, I think that you do not know this, nor do you, or anyone else on this board for that matter, have even a remote clue as to what is going on in the locker room. Here is saying that the Sioux take two this weekend in Colorado. See you in the Springs, and at the Excel and Mariucci in March. Don't know if we can afford Columbus, but we sure as heck ain't ruling it out like many on this board who appear to be calling it a season. Sheeeeesh. It's January. The season ain't hardly even begun.

We love Bina. In many respects, he could be the heart and soul of this team. Da Coaches would do well to recognize this, and let him get more ice time.

Look at the topic of the thread, Big Grey One . . . .

Cry, Cry, Cry. This is the WCHA for crying out loud. It appears that too many of us have been spoiled for too long. The league is no longer what it was a few years back. Check it out. It is the premier conference in all of college sport. Consider yourself lucky to follow a great team in a great conference. This year especially, any team can beat any other team (except, perhaps, Clown and the Bullpups)any given week of the year. The Mavericks are no slouches. I would not want to get them, or any of any number of other teams in the league, for the playoffs. Fair Weather Fans? See you in St. Paul, Mariucci, and Columbus come Spring. Fans taking what I consider to be cheap shots at the Seniors? Go watch the Vikings, or any of the pro sports where you have legitimate reasons to take cheap shots at players. These kids are kids, and solid kids, top to bottom. Now, go drown your sorrows in your bowls of ice cream.

I'd watch that Ralph Ticket Exchange earnestly. Even post your plea there. As for things to do, I think that The Ralph offers arena tours on Fridays at 3 pm. If you are here in time for that, I think that it is something that you might enjoy, although I have not yet been on it myself. As for experiences, heck, get to the game early. Watch the teams warm up. Sit in the seats down at ice level and take in the atmosphere. Every good hockey fan is always in their seats by the time that the puck drops, unforeseen circumstances excepted. Besides, both levels of the Ralph, and the adjacent olympic rink, are ringed with great photos of Sioux Hockey History. Take the time to take them in. Bring some extra ching to buy Sioux merchandise for the family in the Ralph Scalp Shop. East Grand Forks has Cabella's, a cool destination point if you are a sportsman. Don't know much about the night life there anymore, other than that you can always get a good drink and a sound meal at either Whitey's in EGF or the Bronze Boot in GF. The recommendation on the Red Pecker is a sound one. I think that they stopped running hookers out of the upstairs apartments there 30+ years ago though. Have fun. We'll all keep you in mind here for tickets should any become available. If you are coming alone, maybe some solid fan has an extra and will make you a guest?

Mankato is a better team than a lot of people might otherwise believe. This league is tough, top-to-bottom. Think the DU fans are crying about the season hitting rock bottom because of a loss to MTU? This Sioux team is still solid, and I'll take them down the stretch anyday. Sure, a tough loss. Rock bottom? Get a grip Marty. Make that ten Hail Marys and six aspirin. You'll be better in March, along with all of our other fair weather fans. God Bless, and good night. See y'all in the Springs.

This is an easy one. It's the TRADITION.

'Tis I believe. The Bluejackets arena.

Score. Spirko.

Indians penalty. Oops. I mean Mavs' penalty. They changed their name years ago.

Mavs PP goal. 2-1. No sweat. It's early. 13:40 in the second.

Genoway in the box. Slashing.

Gopher fans are whining up a storm over Shepard reffing their game today. Of course, they are often incapable of giving credit to their foes, who just flat beat them to every puck all day long.

Murray takes a hit on the pipe.

Mavs score. Parise screened.

Bina in da box.

Marty, Marty, Marty. Where is your faith lad, or lassie? Say three Hail Marys, take two aspirin, and then watch the Sioux go on a tear, including taking at least three, if not four, against the Tigers.

Parise big save on a Mavs shorthanded breakaway. Will miracles ever cease?

Down the right side. Cut hard to the net. Back hand to the short side on Volp. 4x4 goal. Interference call on the Trucker Stache.

Great game. CC is a real force. Can't wait to road trip to the Springs next week for what will be the premier college hockey series of the week, as this one is this week. You still have our tickets, 7>4? You're supplying them for all comers, ain't chu? GreyEagle, the "friendly Gopher poster" here, called Foss a putz over on Pride on Lice. Just because Virg assumed that the CC-Goophie series was last night and tonight. How was Virg to know that La Don wanted to get his boys an extra night of rest after a tough series in Boston. Downhill slide for the Goophs, here we come. By the way, The Don was trashing GF at the BlueLine Bean Feed yesterday. Said everyone deserved a medal for spending the last three weeks in Grand Forks at the WJC. Geez, Donny ought to get a medal himself then for all of the time that he and his staff are spending in Grand Forks chasing the real talent on his team, not to mention the heart and soul of his team. Donny better not bite the hand that has been feeding his sorry hind end.