JWG

Is it feasible to be reliving the same October cinderella story on ice in May? Twins host Angels (by knocking out heavily favored NY and Oakland) Wild host Ducks (by knocking out heavily favored Detroit, Dallas, and Denver) This is absolute craziness and I'm excited for both of these teams. Its finally nice to see a change in the playoffs, new teams, and success for small markets (But I'm sure ESPN isn't quite as happy). Here's hoping Detroit and Dallas but some cracks in the damn and we can push the flood waters through. Western Cup FINALS!! and WE HOST!!

Ok, I promise I'll stop quoting this now, but still... way to go JMB. I'm still in such disbelief right now. This was great. down 1-3 in the series, comes back in blow-out fashion, down 0-2 in the 2nd period of a deciding game 7 on the road, not getting the power play opportunity as they're letting them play (and the Wild were doing well capitalizing on the PP), and they still win 4-2. We don't see another goaltender like Clou-sieve-tier the rest of the way, so here's hoping we have laser site scoring. MN vs. Anaheim 2 - "The Icey Rematch"

I'm pretty confident that in Zach's specific case, entering the draft and immediately signing is best. I think he's done all he can do in college

DAAAAAMMN... I hope you're right. This has been an insane series. 12-3 over two games after consistent one-goal games, usually in overtime. This is craziness. I really hope the momentum stays with us into tonight and Cloutier is off his game still.

Haven't been to other major university areas? Michigan does the same thing in regard to the University of Michigan as well. And there are probably others. Its just a nickname, Minneapols doesn't really roll of the tounge so well. The other schools go by their city name, but they're a lot shorter than "Min-ne-ap-o-lis" And when I say the UofM people think I AM talking about Michigan most of the time. I don't think its meant to be arrogant. Ahhhhh the U....

Sometimes its great to be wrong

Foote cross-checks Marshall from behind into the crossbar, no call. Granted the Wild are already on the PowerPlay, but who's team was blaming who of being cheap?

So, the national audience thinks the Avs will win (which I think is logical), earlier this afternoon 90% of the Denver audience believed the Wild would win tonight. That's says great things about their fan base's faith. I don't know if those numbers are still holding at the Denver Post poll, but at the time 13,000 votes had been cast, so it wasn't a fluke based on numbers. Maybe Kiz-butt had nothing better to do today buy vote against Granato 12,500 times today I honestly think the Avs take tonight seriously for a change and come out fired up with revenge on their minds. Avs win 4-1. Not the outcome I want, but I just don't see the Wild holding up to take 3 in a row from one of the best teams in the NHL (prove me wrong boys!!)

You mean discuss who the differential is quickly disappearing Just giving you a hard time.

I'm not comparing UND to MSU or St. Cloud. Duluth was 21 or 22 in the Pairwise, not too upset there. I'm thinking more about the Michigan State's or the Providence's. The bubble teams that were bumped because of automatic bids. My thoughts are maybe last 15 games should have been used to determined who between them and the 13 and 14 teams (which would have been St. Cloud and Ohio State (?)) should have made the tournament. My suggestion is meant to push a team up 10 spots in the PWR or anything.

Ok, I feel a little better after seeing this poll on the Denver Post site... Wild Game 7 Poll

I've lost some respect for the Avs this series. I was a fan '96 - '00 (hey, I had no better team to cheer for at the time), but this whole series is out of hand. No one has granted the Wild an ounce of respect, not Granato, not the players, not the sports writers... Now, I don't expect the Avs to not think they're better then us, they are and I admit that. I'm also not surprised that they took the Wild too lightly --we all are doing the same (in saying we don't expect them to win, we're just glad it was more than 4 games, etc.). But, to not even give credit to the team for their effort in the most recent two wins. To not even be able to say, "The played tough, battled hard, and earned the win." I guess once the playoffs start I've always believed all bets are off and you don't disrespect your opponent. I hope we blow them out in their own rink tonight...

ESPN's coverage is national so if you're in the regions that gets FoxSports Net or Fox 9 or whomever carries the game locally, you won't get it on ESPN even if they carry it. So, hopefully those outside our local market will still get it on ESPN or ESPN2. I would think all 3 game 7's would be great for TV. Especially Vancouver and St Louis -- I sure would have loved to see the Wild play Vancouver (hopefully they still will!!)

Oops, the Wild forgot they were supposed to lose 3 games ago...

I disagree, I think some consideration shoudl be given to play down the stretch. Teams that are playing well late are the teams that tend to perform well in the tournament. CC wasn't playing well late and was the only #1 not to advance to the Frozen Four (ok, bad environement for them to play in). MSU-Mankato lost 2 in the Final 5 and then a 3rd in the NCAA tournament. I'm not saying make record over last 15 a considerable criteria, but maybe use it as the tie-breaker. Two teams fairly equal, why not take the team playing well now for a better trounament?

Minnesota hockey, a thorn in the side of all other hockey teams at all levels of play I'm just hoping for a home win, it'd be nice for the Wild to win their last game at home, not that the fans won't be supportive in a loss, I just think the team genuinely wants to win one at home for the fans regardless of the outcome of the series. Its been a fun ride all season, I couldn't be more proud of the team if they do or don't win again this season.

Ok, the Av's may be showing they're the better team right now by being up 3-1 in the series (and that's what's important in the playoffs), but over the long-haul BOTH teams won 42 games this season. The difference maker? The Av's were able to hold off and lose in OT (8 times) where the Wild lost those games in regulation (only 1 in OT). The Wild lost 30 total games, the Av's 27 (adding L and OTL). Obviously the Wild are nothing but a "bye" for the Av's. Too bad they actually have to play. Honeslty, I think its incredible that a 3rd year expansion team made it into the playoffs in the 6 spot. They didn't back in, they didn't "get lucky", they worked their arse off and secured a play-off spot and actually battled for seeding. They just happened to catch a good team that's playing great (or at a minimum who's goalie has started playing great). 95 points is nothing shabby.

Rob Stauber also does part-time goalie coach work (but possibly gives more time than others). You guys were right I didn't realize that not one of your goalies saw at least 50% of the conference playing time. I like a 2 man rotation, but using 3 goalies consistently can be a bit much. I saw Ranfranz play in high school, he was decent but not a stand out at the time. I have to admit, I haven't really seen him play since. Next year I think you'll see someone step forward (and probably the 3rd fall back). Looks like maybe Blais was hoping to find a stand-out and didn't?

I disagree that goaltender switching is a bad thing. It can be a very good team. Examples would be most noticably the MN Wild. Fernandez and Roloson split duty and earned a playoff seat. Each showed moments of outstanding skill and incredible play and moments of letdown. Last season the Gophers saw Adam Hauser step up and improve his play by having some nights off and splitting some time with Weber. This season Johnson was a stand-out in the Final 5 and Weber in the Frozen Four. Even when Goehring (Sp?) split time both 'tenders showed great skill. And not knowing you opponents goalie on a given night can be an advantage to that opponent as well. The Sioux may not have incredible goal-tending but you have enough talent elsewhere to compensate. They say its great goaltending that wins championships, which is true. Its not great goalies but great goaltending. Hence, Cornell, UNH, and Michigan just went home with nothing more than their great goalies on the bus.

All this seating talk has me even more intrigued then I already was. Who wants to step up and help the enemy secure some tickets next year? I'd really like to come see the Gophers play at REA. I've made other road trips, but haven't been able to get tickets to Grand Forks (a testament to the fans). Heck, it looks like it may be a surprise to see where the students are sitting.

I think you have a team full of leaders ready to emerge, but just didn't seem to do it this year. Heck, just because Hale was injured doesn't mean he can't continue to be a leader. I think you'll see Parise step up into a leadership role next year. People say its a lot for a sophomore, but Potulny did it last year to some degree. I think the Sioux will be fine next year, someone will step up (and has to as Hale is leaving). On an aside, the Gophers had a mission to prove. They felt underrated (for good reason) and that people feld 3 individuals did it for us last year. Our own sports writers (*cough* Sid *cough) said it wasn't possible. I think they were motivated a little more because of the lack of belief. On the flip side, I think the Sioux buckled under high expectations and pressure to succeed. Its tough to have the pressure spot light on you.

I just wanted to say thanks to the Sioux fans. I just got back from Buffalo and am trying to catch up on what's been going on the past week. I was somewhat surprised to come back and see some very pleasant discussion and praise from two of our opponents. Michigan and North Dakota. Thanks guys, its nice to not have the usual bickering going back and forth. During the season I expect it, but when the pucks are put away, the nets hung, and the ice left for water, this Gopher fan appreciates your candid remarks. Here's to a great rivalry in 2003-2004. If someone has to unseat the Gophers, I hope its another WCHA school.

This same exact problem ocurred in the new Mariucci when it opened. Student were given section 14 (the right section, I'm not complaining about that). But now the students have Section 14, part of 13, and then section 2 & 3. Why split the students in half like that? In your case separate levels? That doesn't make sense. I understand there's a profit to be made and $$ talks. But how much does a student pay in tuition and how much of the "college" experience should be afforded to the students. As a non-student (so I'm not biased) I feel you guys should have the south end of the arena, should be able to stand (and at the end it won't interfere with sightlines of others), and should be able to be rowdy. That is indeed (as already mentioned) what creates the home-ice hostile crowd. And the students may not pay the most money for their seats, but I'd argue they cheer the loudest and should be afforded the opportunity to be right in the opposing goaltender's face while they're there. But, if you guys can pack your "Coache's Corner" seats (or whatever), I commend you. Our Corpies pay big money not to come and others of us are on a waiting list for tickets and can't go

Being in the corner is better anyway (allthough being in the upper bowl would kind of suck). As a student I'd take the corner/end over centerice anyday. That tuanting factor is more in play when the opposing goalie can actually hear you 2 of 3 periods.

Wasn't Sejna picked up out of free agency? Wheras Hale was already picked but just hadn't signed? I could be way wrong on this though.