NorthDakotaHockey

Sometimes you have to stand up and be counted. John Scott, the Michigan Tech goon, was itching for a fight all night long, out of frustration over having been skated around, and through, for the better part of two nights. Same with most of his Tech teammates, Connor and a few others excepted. Most of the Tech boys were chopping and talking all night instead of playing hockey. Hale did what any good captain does. Too many cheap shots and constant running at the mouth from Scott and Tech led to little choice but to take a stand. Knowing that the fight would draw a game suspension, and knowing that he is a leader off the ice as much as he is on, and knowing that his roster spot is better replaced than is, say Schneider's, or Prpich's, or Perter's (each of whom were itching to clean Scott's clock), Hale stepped to the plate. Campion stepped in immediately and was holding Hale's arms when Scott came in with his sucker punches. They hit Campion's helmet, which slashed into Hale's face, which opened the wound. Hale was livid and would have killed Scott had he been given the chance. I know, I was there, and saw it up close. That, my friend Forecheck, is who would step in and fight with 1:30 left in a 4-0 game. Oddly, no one from the Gophers had the gonads to step up and do the same thing to Scott and Tech back before Thanksgiving. Not Tallackson. Not Ballard. Not any of the other Gopher players. Not saying this was wrong for the Gopher players to shy away from a guy 6'7" and 255 pounds. Most Gopher players over the years would have done the same thing. I am just comparing the size of hearts in the fight. Hale has a huge heart, and stepped up big for his team. Too bad the stitches were the result of having his hands held while Johnny Scott flailed blindly at a ref's helmet. Should be a great college hockey series, the likes of which we have not seen in a few years. Let's just hope, for the fans' sake, that the Gophers can make games of them, unlike the series in GF back on November 7-8. Predictions? Naw. Except that the Gopher faithful will be crying foul everytime that one of their skaters falls to the ice, for whatever reason be damned.

Just got back from the weekend series in Houghton. For those of you looking for a road trip in the future, don't rule Houghton out. Although we drove from the Cities (370 miles/ 6.5 hours in a Ford), I don't think that the trip is much further from GF. A couple of tanks of gas each way, at most. Here are some random observations, in no particular order: 1. Sioux looked damned solid, over-all. After going up 4-0 in game one, they seemed to think that they might have a walk in the park. 4-3 after two, with some stupid penalties that, curiously, did not hurt much. You could hear the chairs slamming against the visitor's locker room walls up in the concourse. Sioux came out and controlled the 3rd, without Greene taking much ice time. 2. Visitor's locker room walls are painted pink. The best psychological warfare that the Tech techies can come up with, at least since about 1976. 3. Blais, Hakstol, and the team are class acts on the road. Courteous to me and my kids, who did not hawk them for any sticks, pucks, or autographs, unlike some of the kids at The Ralph, who are incessant. Coats and ties. No troubles. No problems. Contrast this atmosphere with the Woog years where, rumour has it, old Dougie himself was tapping the team keg on a Friday night. 4. Houghton and the UP are beautiful. Took a drive up to the tip Saturday afternoon. Snowing like bunnies at it. A great MTU ski hill. You can combine two nights of WCHA hockey with skiing, skating, or, if you prefer, drinking in the hotel bar. 5. Hale replaced Massen on Saturday, Marvin for Greene. I suspect that Blais was sending a message to Greene for stupid play at times, and a message on Saturday night in Houghton is better than one on Friday night in Mariucci. 6. Tech's John Scott is a largely talent-short goon. Was trying to pick fights with anyone and everyone all night long on Saturday. Prpich, and everyone else, were smart enough to just laugh him off for the joke that he is. With about two minutes to go on Saturday, we had had enough. Although we were behind the bench, I was unclear whether Dean sent Ryan out to talk to Scott, or if Ryan asked for permission. In any event, Ryan unhooked the helmet and invited Scott to chat. 7. "Cheap Hit" Scott had the upper hand, but ONLY because of a sucker punch with Campion in between the boys before the fight started. Campion had his helmet against Hales face. Scott's punch hits Campion's helmet, which in turn opened the gash on Hale's face. Nasty one. Scott's hands could never have done that. It was the hard plastic and metal snaps on the helmet that did the damage. 8. Hale was livid and would have killed Scott had the fight been allowed to continue. Don't let the Tech crowd, or anyone else, tell you any different. 9. Scott needs to be roughed up by the crowd come March 5-6. 10. Tech students were all over our guys in the box. Some fat slob showing his titties through the glass. Inane, cleverless stuff for the most part. Our students will know what to do. 11. The "Over-Rated" Chant came just after the fight. Not sure where that one came in, after the home team had been dominated for two nights. Our players were into it, slapping their sticks on the boards in time with the chant. 12. While the fight penalties were being sorted out, and before that on some multiple minors, the Tech bench kept jawing from across the ice. (Benches are on opposite sides). Calling our players out to fight. Funny. They could not compete in the game of hockey, and had it been twenty years ago, they would have had their clocks cleaned by our boys, no doubt. 13. The Parise/Murray/Stafford line was near unstoppable. Zach was particularly all over it. Both he and Bochenski showed Connor, a fine player who is a bit of a chippy whiner, where the Hobey should likely land. 14. Goaltending was solid from both goalies, although Tech's power-play was essentially a joke. 15. Tech's five minute major for running into the goaltender was well deserved, and was the start of the rising temperatures. Sioux made them pay with the two third period PP goals. 16. Tech fans, at least those near us, are crybabies and foul mouths. I like to cheer, and I like to heckle. I do not have time for profanities and sexist banter from mindless thugs. The guy kept crowing about how we fight like girls. It was then that my kids and I stood up, turned around, and started our "Beat the Traffic" chant, looking right at the boor. Fun. Funny. I think Deano even noticed and chuckled. Once the band figured out that we were being heard, they cranked up a number. 17. The building was about half-full. The Tech Band was a blast. Good atmosphere, if only they could put some seats in the seats. 18. Wanted to go with a "Spiro Agnew" or "Gerald Ford" chant. These guys were running the country back when Tech had its last semblance of a championship team. 19. Team left after the game. Bus driver a great guy. It was snowing and blowing. He said, as most of us know, that driving that bus is like carrying a sheet of plywood in the wind. He says he knows how he is driving by looking in the mirror. If the boys are wide-eyed and awake, he knows that he is all over the road. If they are sound asleep, he is doing his job well. 20. Al's Pals had about forty. Got to talk to him. He is a class act himself. They hit the road this morning. He sure knows how to put together a trip. If you have not already done so, jump on his UMD trip if he has any slots left. 21. Can't help but figure that Hale was allowed to fight for the team, knowing he'd take a KO for the Friday Gopher game. He is a solid captain, even though he doesn't always skate. I'd put my money on him against Scott any day on the ice, without ref's helmets getting in the way. 22. Assuming CC does not tank totally, the West Regional is looking like the Sioux, the Gophers, CC, and some eastern patsie. The NCAA does not like us, or the WCHA. The WCHA teams who get thrown out East may have a solid chance to run to the Frozen Four. 23. Hennessy is earning his dough. Plane got snowed in, and he probably has not yet left Houghton. He was going to ride Al's bus, but the airline had already checked his luggage and they would not give it back to them. 24. Although likely a meaningless end-of-season series, we should kill Tech in March, just for the sake of drilling them. Those guys will be shell-shocked by The Ralph, and by our fine student section, who will be armed for Scott, Connor, and that little 5'5" freak they have who was also running his mouth and causing trouble. 25. Twenty-five. Enough said. Sorry for the length of this post for those of you still reading. Seriously, plan a future trip to Houghton. If we are on their schedule next year, maybe it can be for their Winter Carnival.

Any road game in the WCHA, especially at a school and an arena with the storied tradition of Tech, is tough. Tech has played some quality minutes this year, although their record does not show it. If JP's or JB's sphincters slam shut early, and a couple of early goals are let in like the Friday night game at St. Cloud, the Sioux could be in for some real character-building moments. I would rather see them drop one, or even two, now than to let them get their heads too high in the air before stepping into Mariucci, or before stepping through the balance of the season to what will hopefully be West Regionals in the Springs, and a date with destiny in Boston. We are off. Houghton will be a blast, regardless of outcome. After all, it is but just a game. I mean, they are but just two games.

Years ago, back whens most of youse guys and girls were probably just little kids, or gleams in your pappy's eyes, I was at the old Ralph. Late 70's. Lousy Rube Bjorkman-coached teams, but still entertaining WCHA hockey. I believe that we were playing Denver. Goalie was getting toasted. Someone threw a live chicken onto the ice, near the goaltender. Hilarious. Couldn't tell which one was more afraid. The Pioneer goalie, or the chicken, as they both stood there trying to get comfortable before a mocking crowd. Great stuff.

Who was that fat kid, the superstar from Duluth East, who ran himself into a world of oblivion under Woog's tutelage. He was a prima donna, was he not? Dave something or other?

Wow. Reason prevailing at the NCAA?!? That hasn't happened since they ran Clem out of town years ago. Next thing you know, the Bison will be setting up a hockey team. How many times over the past twenty years you think they done kicked themselves for not making a team in the early seventies, what with all of the lil' sisters, er, I mean lil' boys, on the college hockey wagon now? CC has a great program. Fortunately, their loss at home over the weekend should solidify the Sioux slot in the West, barring, of course, a collapse. Git your tickets now.

I'm over at out here folks. Gonna go burn a candle at my daughter's Bochenski poster and look at my new Shania Twain calendar. Y'all be swell.

Hey 7>4. I already said this too. You trying to aggravate me? We should be in the Forks. Maybe for the CC series. Then again, that's Valentine's Day. You've an old lady. I've not.

Hey 7>4. I already said this.

#4 for Bo.

Bochenski Scores.

Hey 7>4. I'm in charge here.

Bochenski power play. CC scores. Gophers back at it about twenty seconds later. 1-1 in the Springs. 4-2 at The Ralph.

0-0 Gophers and CC in a monumental first period. End-to-end, and a whole raft of unconscious saves by both Briggs and McElhaney. Any of us who might think that the Sioux have a walk in the park ahead of them may well be sadly mistaken. The WCHA is one ass-kicking league. Fall asleep at the wheel and only bad things might happen. I hate the Gophers. Sioux are going to the Springs end of March for the West Regional. Tigers will be there on the Michigan Rule. Buy your tickets now.

Thanks Avalanche guy. That is pretty funny, if you are correct. Because you appear on the ball on all fronts, I will take this as fact, unless someone cares to correct you.

By the way WPoS, you mentioned, in another thread, JBSU. Who, or what, is that? I assume the Huskies, but for what does the acronym stand?

WPoS is right on this one. The Shooter-Man is just jumping on the World Juniors bandwagon. Walters couldn't throw a strike in the major leagues, and he sure as heck can't throw one in the hockey world, much as I like the guy. I have it on solid information that Zach will return for BOTH his junior and his senior seasons at North Dakota. The Maven.

WPoS . . . . Love you man. You are not claiming that the Gopher program talent pool is so shallow, and the recruiting efforts so inept, that it cannot recover from the loss of a senior defenseman (something that everyone saw coming well in advance), or of an average goaltender, at best, are you?

I am not much for the Gophers and the arrogance of their fans. Took a North Dakota boy and someone from across the Atlantic for them to return to the national stage. Funny, you don't hear 'em much crying about other teams recruiting Canadian or foreign talent anymore. Truth is, if I wanted to watch Minnesota high school hockey, I'd buy a ticket to a local arena, not spend $26 at Mariucci. In any event, Don and the boys will likely be watching home ice slipping away after the drumming that they will take at the World Arena this weekend. Of what reason do the Minnesota fans attribute the horrendous performance, to date, by the defending champs who are, essentially, intact from last season?

State of Hockey I'll try the link again. I am not very adept at these things.

[url=http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/impact/2003_04/january/minnesota2.html] Here is a somewhat interesting article on the state, and history, of hockey in Minnesota. Too bad they don't mention that, these days at least, most of the good young talent leaves the state to play at schools with a stronger hockey tradition than is found at the U of M.

I think that UMD is a very dangerous team, especially because we have already beaten them three times, in some closely played contests. It is tough to keep beating the same team over and over, especially one with the talent of UMD. Add to this the fact that they have solid goaltending, whipped us in the Final Five last year, and have a coach who learned much at the feet of the Master. All of this adds up to, in my mind, danger. We would probably do well to drop one, or both, at the DECC just so that we do not forget that UMD is a potential Frozen Four player as are, of course at this time of the year, any of about twenty teams.

I was at the game with my kids. Sat in 208. A great gackle of Sioux fans there. We stayed and cheered hard for the Sioux until the handshakes were over and the team was off the ice. Because we were right behind the student section, a few of the SCSU students finally got a little irate, for no good reason. Perhaps they simply have never seen, and will never understand, the type of support that Sioux fans give their team, especially on the road. Was a sloppy game, by and large. Nevertheless, there is nothing better than a WCHA game going into the third period on a Saturday night on a tie score. All of the boys looked a bit tired by that time, but only because they had been skating hard past, and through, clutch and grabs for five periods, and an OT session, by then. Brandt was huge on several occasions. He did not have as much help as he should have had. Greene and Jones are always solid, or nearly so. Schneider is with Smaby because he can, and will, and does, teach Smaby things that Smaby needs to learn before he will become solid. Fuhrer and Bina are more than adequate. Bina is really growing on me. Maybe a shade too offensive-minded, but nothing wrong with that with the likes of Brandt between the posts. All in all, a huge 3 point weekend. All the SCSU fans could resort to at the end was the now long-tired waving of play money to mock Bochenski, and asking us if we wanted to buy any pull tabs. Funny. I wish that I had brough along a couple of sixth grade work books so that I could have asked them if they wanted to help, Conboy get back on the ice. Great crowd Sioux fans. We really did take it to the home team, all weekend long.

Huskies 679. I know the name/logo is not an issue or a concern with the vast majority of Huskie fans. SCSU fans are a solidbunch who know their hockey, and who appreciate their hockey. Tonight's game will be the best collegiate game in the country tonight, and this weekend. Bar none. The Gophers-BU participants will be but pretenders.

One more gripe about SCSU. Their game program, at $3.00, is chock full of ads and short on any meaningful information. To top it off, it had the Denver University Roster listed under The University of North Dakota!! Not a stitch of information on the Sioux. When I went to get my money back, the poor vendor indicated that she had no authority to do so. Rather than dicker with her, I will keep in as a testament to the ineptness of an organization too obsessed with the small things in life (Indian names and logos) that it has lost sight of its larger purpose . . . . to serve its fan base and to further its own reputation.