diggerdan

I am pleasantly surprised by the ability to score. With the loss of Bayda and Skarperud, I thought they would struggle a little out of the gate but they seem to have no trouble scoring goals and, more importantly, creating scoring chances. Bochenski looks much more interested this year, thanks no doubt to his new linemate. We have two solid scoring lines and the potential for a third provided they can find a playmaker to pair with Massen (Genoway, Connelly??). You can't ask for more than that. I'm disappointed in the play in our own zone. Other than goaltending, I thought our biggest need going into the year was strong puckhandling in our own zone. This hasn't materialized. Alot of the responsibility here goes on the D-men. Nick Fuher has looked okay but I was really expecting Schneider and Jones to develop more. By and large, opponents have not been scoring on odd man rushes or by cycling the puck, they've been doing it by intercepting clearing passes or forcing turnovers in our zone. This will kill the Sioux against teams with more than one line of skilled offensive players. Curiously, they play one this weekend. Obviously, goaltending remains a question mark. From what I heard, Seimbida played very well on Saturday, keeping the Sioux in the game through a very hectic stretch to begin the 2nd period. He's had his shaky moments though, as has Brandt. But goaltending is always a question mark for the Sioux. Except for the early 80s with Iwabucchi, Jensen, Casey, etc., UND has never had a wealth of talent in goal like say, a Wisconsin. In fact, since then, I can't think of a season where goaltending wasn't a concern, at least to start the year (with the exception of Karl's last three years).

Robert Lollar left the team before the season. I think DMB posted on why earlier in this thread. I know he was hurt much of last year. Glas did pick up what many say is a gem of a JUCO transfer in Myron Allen though. Should be an interesting year, maybe the Sioux can challenge the Jackrabbits.

This will be interesting. I could see Kelby running that flanker screen that really hasn't been that successful this year. Any news on Digger Anderson? I heard he was injured but never heard the severity. One of the bright spots on defense. Plus, he's got that cool name.

I am a little concerned about play with the puck in our own end. While Niagara didn't have alot of possession time in the Sioux zone, there were stretches when UND had trouble clearing. I didn't think Niagara had a very aggressive forecheck so our difficulty may not have been exploited as a team with more talent up front could have. It seems that our D, as a group, still lack confidence with the puck. They played exceptional defense but I thought failed to initiate alot of good rushes from our own zone. Also, I thought Jake Brandt was horrible with the puck; he should never leave the net. OTOH, the defense (including Brandt) had 9 of the 17 assists for the weekend, so what do I know.

You had me nodding along in agreement until the analogy, which was just plain dumb and struck me as a little condescending. Just like football is the engine that drives NDSU athletics, NDSU has been the engine that drives the D-I decision in this region, and for good reason. From the institutional perspective, the move makes more sense for NDSU than UND, IMHO. However, NDSU going now raises the primary reason why UND should strongly consider it: That NDSU is doing it. Call it envy or jealousy or whatever, I don't care. I want the two schools to remain primary rivals.

Sioux Land Iowa Point Guard Glas uses the new Engelstad to full recruiting advantage. He gives them a full tour, brings them up into a suite, has the Kansas video played on the scoreboard and has player's name circling the arena on the wrap around video board. "Oh yeah", he'll say, "we play games here".

Yeah, that was Connelly. He had possession of the puck then just let it go right before getting hit. Kind of a "I'm just going to drop everything else I'm doing so I can concentrate on this truck that's about to run me over" type of play. He looked ready to take the hit, but it didn't seem to matter cause he went flying. He bounced back up, but it took a while for him to get to the bench. I'm not going to be the one that posts what Canady said (we all know how sensitive some lurkers are) but it was pretty funny and said with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

My thoughts on a few things: The Sioux came out very motivated and dominated play. I was surprised at the intensity. Manitoba generated nothing offensively until late in the second period. At that point, the Sioux looked to be taking a few more chances and it led to more opportunities for Manitoba. Siembida was the only goalie tested and he did fine. Leinweber and Marvin played well together; solid positional hockey. I was pleased with Leinweber's play towards the end of last year and he looked good again last night. He won't be the best defenseman but he's not going to be a liability either. We will put 6 solid defensemen on the ice each night. David Lundbohm on the point for the power play was a surprise. I didn't know if they used him this way in New York or not but he's never struck me as a power play quarterback kind of forward (like Panzer or Ulmer). Tough to tell how special teams performed because the talent level difference was big. Penalty kill will be a key for the Sioux this year. Fylling is a completely different player from two years ago; he's stronger on his skates, glides more than just "skates fast", and did a good job checking on both ends. He seemed to have a little bad luck with the puck last night (always a few inches off) but that'll change. Props to Kuhninca for predicting this. I'm no hockey expert but I sat with a friend who's quite knowledgeable. Other than the one-timer (which was sweet), I though Parise had a pretty nondescript game. All my buddy could do was oohhh and aahhh. At one point late in the game he said "you know when a guy is mucking in the corner and with his back to the net centers a pass to nobody? When Parise does that, someone will be there, otherwise, he won't make that pass. He'll just know." Very impressed with Ryan Connelly.

From what I've read about Parise, I don't think he needs any extra push to motivate him. I think the comments are more of Blais just calling it as he sees it. Plus, he's probably so excited that he finally landed a "blue chip" recruit, that he couldn't contain himself. As we all know, players with Parise's talent are a dime a dozen at other, more prestigious, programs. HERE COME YOUR FIGHTING SIOUX!!!!!!!!

Roche was sent down today. Wild Assign Four to Houston Hopefully, he'll spend more time with the big club this year than last.

Yeah Jim, I guess I figured that. Sorry for being so literal. Sic - sometime ago, either on the D2 football board or the old Forum board, didn't a Bison fan accuse McFeely of being a part of the Sioux conspiracy? I remember them alluding to the fact that he is a UND journalism grad (although I don't know if this is true or not). BTW, either of you two in this Inner Circle of Power? It sounds like a great club.

I don't think that's a Forum editorial, just a Mike McFeely column. I take McFeely's columns with a grain of salt. He loves to ruffle feathers. Sometimes I think he is a closet Sioux fan.

I'd put the 82 Sioux team up against any college team from any era, and I would like my chances. Let's face it, not many teams have a Leopold or a Roche and I think its unrealistic to expect one to develop out of this group of defensemen. If they can become solid at handling the puck in their own zone and starting the offensive rush, that will be a huge improvement over last year and as sprig said, may be all that is needed for this team. They had shown improvement in this area by the end of last year but still have a ways to go. Defensively, I think our young guys are ahead of the curve. I don't get how anyone can think that Paul Martin is going to be another Leopold. I've seen him play over a dozen times the last 2 years and am not that impressed. Maybe I'm missing something, it wouldn't be the first time. Ballard however, if he shows strong freshman to sophmore progression (as you would expect from a defenseman), will be something special.

I know this won't look good but I can't figure out how to post in column form. Here's the results so far, with 12 votes: 112.5 Denver (7.5 1st Place) 108.0 Minnesota (3) 89.0 North Dakota (.5) 87.5 SCSU (1) 81.0 Colorado College 50.0 Wisconsin 48.0 Duluth 45.0 Anchorage 23.0 Mankato 16.0 Michigan Tech

Who are you referring to? You treat the opinions expressed on this board as if they are a collective and therefore, can be attributed to every single UND supporter. There is disagreement on this board on this issue but I would say the majority of us have approached this issue by focusing on what UND should do now that NDSU has decided. I, for one, have never expressed the opinion that NDSU will fail at D-I although I believe that their probability of success is a valid issue when discussion turns to what UND should do. And, I've already done what you suggested: I've read the interviews with the coaches; I've seen the marketing survey results; h*ll, the Forum is the only paper I subscribe to. Finally, as a taxpayer of North Dakota who has also sent tuition $$ down to Fargo, I have a vested interest in what happens at NDSU, despite the fact that I cheer for the Sioux.

You go Goon!! Teams have won with less that stellar goaltending, Minnesota last year is one (although Hauser played very well in the Frozen Four). UND does not have that history; when they've won, they've been rock solid in net (Although one could argue that Schweitzer was an average goalie who simply didn't have to face many quality shots in a game). Anyway, I'd like to post interim results but I don't know how to do columns on a message board so if someone could please tell me, I'd appreciate it.

Everyone rank the teams in order of predicted finish for the 2002-2003 either in the thread or by private message. I'll tally up the points on a 10,9,8 etc. basis and publish the results. Then I'll just sit back and wait for the publishing royalties to arrive.* Here's mine: 1. Denver 2. Minnesota 3. St. Cloud 4. North Dakota 5. Colorado College 6. Anchorage 7. Duluth 8. Wisconsin 9. Mankato 10.Michigan Tech * Don't worry Jim, you'll get your cut.

Thank you. I agree, it is a concern. Also, Montana draws fairly well for both men's and women's basketball, roughly 3,500 per game. I don't think you can expect numbers better than that in either Fargo or Grand Forks. As I said, maybe money dictates that we stay where we're at. I should add that support for D-I at UND is being driven by football people, just like it was at NDSU. I'm a hockey first, football second and nothing else matters kind of guy. It's a bias that I acknowledge may cloud my judgment.

dbarker, do you have a link for that article? I'm a little confused because I was told the Grizzly athletic department made money last year. I do know that Montana State ran a $1 million deficit for fiscal year 2001, but alot of that was due to debt service on a stadium renovation. It's still a staggering amount. I like the situation UND has right now. They are an important member of a highly competive and very successful D-II conference. However, that situation is changing and UND must at least explore the possibility of adjusting. You are known by the company you keep and I don't want the university to be considered a peer of Duluth, Bemidji, Crookston and Moorhead...or even Mankato and St. Cloud. I'm fully aware that a move up involves all sports Sicatoka. But I believe the athletic department should strive towards a level of competition of the highest quality possible, not just national championships. UND is there now. But a conference composed of UND, USD and a bunch of middle tier Minnesota schools is going to wind up dragging the Sioux down. Mankato, Augie and St. Cloud will jump on the scholarship reduction train in a heartbeat if there was support. The result is that the product the Sioux put on the field, the court, or the pool will suffer. I'm in favor of maintaining the current level of quality in athletics, if not increasing it. If doing so means that conference championships are the goal rather than national championships, I'm okay with that. Obviously $$$ is the the major factor in all of this and if UND can't raise the money to make the leap, the issue is moot. But I believe they must address the issue beyond a simple no thanks, not interested.

I think NDSU's decision is the right one for them. Although some of their fans are misquided in thinking they'll have big names coming to the Fargodome or that March Madness appearances will now be commonplace, most of the bison fans I know are realistic about the move. The big question for UND is what is SDSU going to do. If the Jacks leave the NCC, that will leave only UND and USD as charter members. Although UNO will never go D-I, I suspect they will bolt a watered-down NCC for the MIAA. The NCC would be left with UND, USD, MSU-M, SCSU and Augie with possible new members like UM-Duluth, Southwest State, Winona, Northern State. Yuck. As Riverman pointed out, these are athletic programs on par with Crookston and Moorhead. And academically, nothing against these schools, but UND and USD are state flagship universities, they don't belong in the same athletic conference with the others. It's a scenario I'm not interested in. If SDSU does not jump, it will be easier to keep UNO and adding Duluth will make a nice 8 team league. But if SDSU goes, UND must go also. Of course, then USD will be forced to follow and presto........a D-I NCC. I agree with Jim, this is exactly what NDSU is hoping happens.

I don't know if I'd list him as on the bubble PCM, but I do believe that the Sioux need an improved and more consistent Lundbohm if they hope to make some noise. Alot of people talk about how he's better than his brother, but we only saw brief flashes last year (albeit he had injury problems, I believe). I also would like to see Ryan Hale have a big year. He started out strong last year but was very inconsistent the last half of the season. I'm hoping that was a result of having a year away from hockey.

UND is going to have a good offensive line, they've never had worse than that since Thomas took over and they recruit well at the position. Like the linebackers, the O-line platoons quite a bit so most of the guys starting this year will have already seen significant playing time. The ground game was horrible after the injuries to Perk and Miller.....behind the same line. I feel that on offense, running back is the key position for 2002. On defense I agree with Sicatoka, the corner position is the key. Thornberg is a good cover but you just can't replace Riendeau, who I think was the best cover corner the Sioux have had in the last 15 years. The positive is that the defensive line is going to be so strong that most opposing teams aren't going to have much time to throw. Less than 3 weeks till UM-Crookston, although something tells me not many questions will get answered that night.

Completely off topic - last year when I took a tour of the arena, the guide commented that they were hoping that their training facilities would entice an NHL team to camp there and even if they couldn't get one, they expected a large number of NHL players to spend time in Grand Forks over the summer. I know the Wild are (is?) considering using REA as their training camp in the future but for this summer, were they any pros using the facilities besides recent UND grads? Any names?

Coming out of spring ball I thought I read that Aaron Schwenzfeier was the #1 back. I wasn't impressed with him last season when he filled in. I really liked Jim Miller but who knows how he'll be after the knee surgery. I expect we will see alot of guys getting their shot at rb through the first 3 games.

I'll believe it when its officially announced. The story has no official source and its not the type of announcement you would try to get a scoop on. I think the PP misunderstood the U's release that it was bidding for the tourney. Not to say that UofM won't get the regional, I just don't think the PP has info that nobody else seems to have.