InHeavenThereIsNoBeer

Yeah, the only conclusion I can draw is that he didn't go to The Ralph...

I almost think with Kristo and Knight, you could also argue last year's team was "better". Now obviously this doesn't always matter come tournament time (See: Michigan in 1997, Sioux in 2011).

That's bold. Don't misinterpret me, I love the optimism and believe this team is looking better each series though. Just curious, what are the different areas that you see this team has going for them over the past teams?

Yeah someone could make that argument about the revenue, and I would have a counter for it but since we won't go down the road it's not much of a point. Passionate may have been the wrong word then: dedicated, loyal, diehard. And by the way, all of these are a result of college hockey being THE game in Grand Forks. I've never met a Gopher fan that is close to the level of dedication of many Sioux fans...and I live and work in Downtown Minneapolis so I've met more than my fair share of rodent supporters, including having a friend that's a Goldy mascot. I often know more about their own team then they do and when we get down to friendly arguments about the programs they always pull the "we have all these other sports teams and ND only has college hockey" line. And honestly, that does make us that more passionate, dedicated, and loyal. The Sioux are "The Game" in Grand Forks similar to the Packers being the only show in town in Green Bay. I think that makes us embrace the team even more since we know they are what puts Grand Forks on the map in the sports world and that makes us proud to call the team our own. So call it whatever word you want but Sioux fans and Gopher fans are very different.

Yeah it does matter, because the fan I referenced would not drive to Omaha in a blizzard to watch an outdoor game and cheer the team down the tunnel after the sweep. That fan would not spend his disposable income on finding any way to get to UND games and he would not spend tons of money on UND gear and contribute funds to the UND hockey team. I don't think there's any shame in admitting the population difference either, which is why I did in my previous post. I simply pointed out that while we may be smaller we seem to be more passionate about following our team in general. You think Gopher fans take over Magness Arena or World Arena when they play there? I'd say the quality of the fan is extremely imporant in that regard.

In sheer volume you may be correct however defining a "fan" may be a whole new debate. I met a Gopher fan last weekend. He used to be a Bulldog fan because he went to college there, but he moved to Minneapolis so he considered himself a Gopher fan now. Btw, his favorite UMD Bulldog of all time was Jack Fontaine...

If you're referring to in the morning, you have Hell's Kitchen(might want to make a res), The Local has a good brunch buffet, Key's Cafe has some solid omelettes and lastly Devil's Advocate has Bottomless Mimosas for $6 if you're looking for an early buzz to start the day. They're all about 5-6 blocks from the Target Center.

We are about 3 spots out if being in the tourney, why would we have to win the NCHC tournament?

I didnt see the play and don't doubt your take on it at all. I was watching the game on FaceTime which isn't the best quality

Yeah, I'm sure most coaches do want to coach fast and physical hockey but no one pulls it off like the Sioux, which is why our program, specifically, is known for it. People don't say that about Minnesota or Boston College, they say it about us because we do it the best. The key to our program is riding that line and when we're able to, we have a good team. When we let our emotions get the best of us is when we take bad penalties but I don't think our problem is the "old style fighting Sioux" hockey that makes some people cringe. Thts actually our strength and gives us a mental edge before even taking the ice. That's my only point.

I think you have a warped idea of old time fighting Sioux hockey. To most people, including the guys that get payed to cover the games it means fast, physical hockey. Do penalties come with the territory when you play that type if hockey? Absolutely, but would I have it any other way? Nope. Much better every playing fast and finishing their checks hard then do a flyby swinging for the puck. That's what the Sioux hockey tradition is about, hitting guys until they don't want to get hit anymore. Have we had to tweak that approach to the new game? Yeah but it's still based on the same ideal.

Just require all fans to stand the entire game, then we'd weed the fake ones out ...well that and the old people

REA's an unbelievable place to watch a hockey game and I am so pumped everytime I'm lucky enough to watch a game there. I've experienced everything people are commenting on here to one degree or another at other hockey rinks.

This is a joke, right? I don't care what the "criteria" or if The Ralph is in Siberia. It's head and shoulders above every hockey rink on that list and otherwise. The only place I haven't seen a game at is Compton Arena so the jury's out on that one until I get to a game there. This list lost all credibility when it listed World Arena. Been to 5-10 games there and the place is a joke. Student section is too stoned to move as they contemplate their next slack-lining move to learn. Also, it reminds me of a hockey version of the Hyslop Center. The Sioux Shop has better atmosphere.

Jim, does that put a much larger emphasis on the away games UND has left on the schedule, like Denver, Duluth, and SCSU? I thought I read somewhere that the Bemidji away game(of course the one we tied) would have meant twice as much as a home win in regards to our ranking. If this is true, I would think the St. Cloud series is head and shoulders above the rest of the series in importance, followed closely by Denver and Duluth.

Yeah, everytime that Olkinura guy was between the pipes I shuddered. Was sitting behind the net when a Sioux player (don't remember which one) had a wide open net and Olki reached out his goalie stick and swatted it away. Every player, fan, coach, and popcorn vendor in the arena thought that was a goal. I believe we tied the game too. Even though our past record against Brittain is good he is having a great year numbers-wise for DU. That being said, I hope we put 6 up on him each night.

Good point, I wonder if that possibility was part of his "easy decision when he laid it all out on the table"

I would say that's a fair question one has to ask. Is the cost/benefit analysis in recruiting these types of players done properly by the UND staff? But then again, unless there's a specific event in the kid's past that you can point to that exhibited he's a selfish player/individual how would you know this could happen? It's pretty easy for a player to visit the University and say all the right things "I want to help UND win a natty, I look forward to contributing in any way I can" and how would the coaches know any different until he starts practicing and playing with the team? So to a point I agree with everything you're saying except where you say "There had to have been some clues and we either didn't do our homework or we simply chose to ignore the warning signs." Unless we know what those were, I don't necessarily think there was clues or warning signs. If you say that he's talented and Canadian, then Johnny Toews was a big flight risk, but was it worth the reward? Absolutely

Exactly, Frattin didn't have much of senior season so obviously jumping ship after an entire semester is understandable... Honestly, I was upset at first but the more we hear from Hakstol, the team, and now Tambellini I'm so glad he's no longer part of this team. There's no room for the "what can you do for me" attitude, especially on this team.

Goodness, Ha! Panzer was absolutely robbed!

I guess my main point was that Scrivens isn't a "hot goalie" excuse as referred to earlier. He was a great college goalie (you can split hairs on defining him "great" but his numbers suggest otherwise)

It's frustrating to see this team playing good hockey for 9 straight and still be on the outside looking in.

Yeah, that's immediately who came to mind for me too. Point is, I think Belfour was sorta good at stopping pucks.

Whoops, forgot about his 18 shutouts...

Any college goalie that becomes a starting NHL goalie is most likely a "great" college goalie. Who is the last UND goalie to get an NHL start? Let's look at his numbers for Cornell: roughly a 1.90 GAA and .932 save % over 3 years. Those numbers look pretty "great" to me. Maybe he didn't just close his eyes and happen to save shots, huh? UND would kill for a goalie with those numbers over 3 years but maybe you know something I don't.