SiouxScore

I thought part of the problem on the faceoffs was the linesman, a lot of the time guys weren't in and ready and the puck got dropped and also a lot more guys got kicked out of the faceoffs than normal. Yes and I believe it lasted all of about 1 minute.

I really thought the linseman in this series did a horrible job. A lot of guys kicked out of faceoffs and pucks dropped when guys weren't in which usually doesn't happen. I thought they should have dropped the puck over on what eventually was Minnesota's tying goal as Knight wasn't even down and in at the dot yet. Overall I thought we played pretty well throughout the lineup. We still need to clean up some things in our own zone and do a better job tying guys up in front of the net but it is improving. I think the performance tonight is the type of performance that will get the guys going a little bit and roll off a nice win streak. I thought Zane played pretty well and probably deserves to start next Friday night. Probably should have won this game and had to settle the for the tie but some very encouraging things and I would bet this won't be the last game against them this season.

I thought Mitch was decent on that line last weekend but looked out of place last night and who knows maybe it was just a bad game for him. I would be okay with putting Rocco on that line but it seems like they are trying to keep guys on their natural wing for now. IMO Parks didn't click very good on that line and didn't seem to be a good fit. Mark looked really good on that line and to me has been the most dangerous on that line. Rowney is a center and really struggled when they tried to play him on the wing. I wouldn't mind taking another look at Drake on the top line also but for now I'm just gonna trust in the coaching staff as they see these guys a lot more than we do.

Peterson has looked pretty good playing in some tough conditions against a vey good team and I like the way he plays. I also like the talent of Spencer Naas and TJ Moore for Benilde although it is a little tough to judge these guys just off of today with the conditions they are playing but I have seen them play a few times and they have all been pretty impressive. EDIT: Peterson just scored again on a nice play, the way he plays reminds me a little of the way Brock Nelson plays.

Via @UNDMHockey Tonights lines Mitch Mac.-Knight-Kristo Mark Mac.-Rowney-Parks Caggiula-Pattyn-Grimaldi Senkbeil-St.Clair-Rodwell Mac-Mattson Simpson-Gleason Forbort-Schmaltz Gothberg Saunders Thought we may see some different line combinations but I am still confident in this group and expect a win tonight.

I saw that right away too and was screaming for a call there, I believe Mitch MacMillan was headed to the boards to catch the wraparound and got picked off in the faceoff circle by a Gopher and never got to the puck.

Sounding like Gothberg will get the start for tonights game.

That would be my guess as well, if anyone wants to watch him today his team plays on FSN against Benilde at 1:30 as part of Hockey Day Minnesota. Anyone watching the hockey day coverage they got Brendan Burke doing the high school game right now with Gorg and he would be a huge improvement over Hammer the horrible.

I think we will see a few lineup changes tonight and would guess the lineup will look something like this. I thought Schmaltz showed some good glimpses last night but also had a few bad lapses and wonder if Hak won't try to send him a message tonight. Grimaldi-Knight-Kristo Mark Mac.-Rowney-Parks Caggiula-Gaarder-St.Clair Mitch Mac.-Pattyn-Rodwell Mac-Mattson Simpson-Gleason Forbort-Panzerella Gothberg Saunders

Try again

I thought we played decently and they took advantage of every one of our miscues. Saunders was very shaky tonight and I wouldn't be suprised to see Zane tomorrow. We need to do a better job of taking advantage of our opportunities and I thought Wilcox was really the difference tonight. I thought the reffing was very inconsistent but I probably should of expected that. Gophers really got away with a lot of stickwork and holding all over the ice and on Minnesota's 3rd goal there was a huge missed interference call where we would have had the puck and been going out of the zone but instead our guy gets hit to the ice and the puck gets to the Gopher d-man and ends up in the back of the net. We still need to do a better job in front of the net and in our zone. I trust in Hak and believe he will get the boys ready to go and get a win tomorrow night.

I thought they would maybe go Rocco at center and Rodwell on the wing on that line but I wonder if they wanted Pattyn to center that line to have more defensive responsibility on that line.

Sioux Lineup via @UNDMHockey Mitch Mac. Knight Kristo Mark Mac Rowney Parks Caggiula Pattyn Grimaldi Senkbeil Gaarder Rodwell Mac Mattson Simpson Gleason Forbort Schmaltz Saunders Gothberg

Got a feeling the Sioux come out and make a statement tonight! Sioux 5 Gophers 2

I remember this one well as I was in high school at the time and the whole team was watching the game in the lockerroom after we got done with our game when this happened. Only about 6 or 7 on our team were Sioux fans but we went crazy when we saw that play.

I was watching the game and watched all the replays and never saw the kick either. Announcers also seemed very skeptical about that call. When he was called for the major there was a guy standing right over him and in his face and I thought that a ref should have jumped in there and got the Wayzata kid out of there as well.

Watching this game you can see everyone on the other team always knows where Gersich is and they are really focused on him. Also notice Wayzata taking a lot of runs at him no matter where he is and if he has the puck or not.

Gersich will be on FSN Thursday night at 7 when his team plays at Wayzata if anyone wants to get a look at him.

Saw Schlossman retweeted this from Gardner so that can't be a bad thing. Rhett Gardner‏@RhettGardner22 What a day #dreamcometrue #und Retweeted by Schlossman

Speaking of Wehrs Corner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsxyzGkmAgg

The more I think about this matchup the more confident I feel. I don't think there is any way we go in there and get swept. I think we can cause them a lot of problems in their defensive zone and don't think they have really been tested in a few areas yet. I think we can establish a good cycle against guys like Reilly, Marshall, and Schmidt and think they can be exposed in their defensive zone. It seems like their d-men are a lot of offensive d-men and I really question how well they can play in the corners when a team tests them with that.

I really don't think it matters who is on that top line with Kristo and Knight but I kind of liked the way Mitch MacMillan played there last night. The biggest question mark to me is whether Gleason is at defense, forward, or scratched. Even when he was at forward last night he played a good amount at defense on the penalty kill and in the 3rd period as well as some powerplay. I think we will see a lineup like this Friday night: Mitch MacMillan-Knight-Kristo Mark MacMillan-Rowney-Parks Caggiula-Grimaldi-Rodwell/Gaarder Senkbeil-Pattyn-St.Clair Mattson-Mac Forbort-Schmaltz Simpson-Gleason/Panzerella Saunders/Gothberg

Can't wait for this weekend! I expect a lot of emotion and intensity from both sides and couple of great games.

One of the best weeks of the year! I expect a much higher level of intensity and a very physical series.

Danny Kristo