AltaSioux

The 50% that doesn't go to the winner usually goes to the charitable organization that suppiles the volunteer sellers for the particular game. It is often a minor sports association. I don't know how the International Ice Hockey Federation, Hockey Canada and the two arenas are doing it during the WJC but it wouldn't surprise me if the other half is still going to charity. $84,000 going to the winner is much higher than anything I have seen at these games and I suspect that was the total and the winner got $42,000. The total at last night's Russia-Slovakia game in Calgary was around $50,000. Not a bad souvenier from a hockey game.

You're right about that. Mattson didn't see Walters sneak behind him and then Mattson followed the puck over to the left side. Mac had to race back and also get over from the left side and still almost caught Walters. The other UNO goal was also a result of a defensive breakdown as the goal scorer took advantage of Blood and Forbort not closing the gap quick enough. No need to despair - Dell was very good when he had to be and Gaarder responsed well to the challenge. Need to see some more big hits from everyone. UNO knows how to play the Sioux. Hard for Kristo and his line to carry the puck in when UNO lines up three across their blue line. Need to dump it in and hit their defence hard. Sioux will come out on fire tonight and as long as they stay out of the penalty box and get lots of pressure on UNO D-men we should be celebrating a win later tonight.

Its a good thing none of us are the coaches, or this team would be in an even worse position. While its great to see many people offering their views, lets give the professional coaches a chance to do their jobs. Its pretty obvious that penalties are not the Sioux's biggest problem. There have been very few undisciplined penalties, probably fewer than at this same time last season. The Sioux are going to have to play an even more physical, shut the door defence this season and that brings with it the risk of more penalties. To suggest Mac needs to "dial down the penalties" makes no sense given his style of play, as long as he isn't taking undisciplined penalties. He has 6 minor penalties so far - Blood has 5 and Knight has 7.

Interesting that no one has looked at the question of early departures in the goaltending ranks from the other perspective. There is a strong possibility that Dell could turn pro after the season he just had. Lots of folks were looking at him in St. Paul.

What stage is the game at? Second period? Who has the goals? How do the two teams look?

I couldn't agree more. Sioux will have a number of these series in the second half of the season. While the brutal first half schedule was a great test of the team, and one that they passed with high marks, how they play against lesser teams will be critical. They need to avoid complacency and avoid playing down to their opponents level. Does anyone know anything about the RMU players? I only recognize the names of the two ex-AJHL guys. I saw Kobialko play for Camrose several years ago (I think he played with Mike Connolly). He was a scorer back then. Evan Renwick bounced around the AJHL over the past 3 years and was with Canmore last season. He's a rangy defenceman who skates well. I saw him a couple of times last year. He rushed the puck well but didn't really know what to do with it once he got in the other team's end.

Need help from you folks. The radio broadcast on UND Insider isn't working. What radio station in GF airs the game? I'll try to get it on their website.

The calibre of play in the BCHL is very high as can be seen by the players that have gone directly from that league to the NCAA - Hextall, Zajac, Turpp, Genoway, Wiercioch, Cheverie, Turris to name just a few. I've only been to Sioux City once but I have to say that given a choice between living there and spending a relatively mild winter on the lake in Penticton, it wouldn't be a tough choice on that basis. There is also a very rich history of hockey with the Penticton Vees organization and they're playing in a new arena. Penticton is also hosting the World Junior A Challenge in November. Add it all up and assuming equal playing time, Penticton would make a lot of sense.

Still scoreless? Are we hitting? How are we plauing?

Keep the updates coming folks. I'm sitting in a hotel bar in Toronto woth only my Blackberry and this site to fill me in on the game. GO SIOUX

Watched Canada beat Finland 3-0 tonight in pre-tournament game. Canada outplayed Finns by bigger margin than score indicates. Very physical first period by both teams with Finland not backing down. Alex Pietrangelo (on loan to Canada from St. Louis Blues) looked great - clear that he has been playing at a higher level than everyone else. Brandon Kozun very fast and dangerous around net. Could see signs of why people are saying Taylor Hall could be first overall in 2010 draft as he sniped a beauty. Would have been nice to see at least one NCAA player make Team Canada. Can't understand why Joe Colborne not invited to tryout.

Derek Rodwell named to AJHL South Division All Star team. http://ajhl.ca/news/2009/12/22/ajhl-announ...r-team-rosters/

Agreed! This would be a great way to head into the break. Don't need any more injuries though. I wonder if Kristo and Mac chatted before the game. The only other time they played in a game against each other was last year in the World Junior A Challenge. Mac demolished Kristo with a huge legal open ice hit. Danny almost passed out when he tried to get to his feet. Kristo made a great recovery and was named Player of the Game. Lets hope they avoid each other tonight.