Godsmack

Your point about saving two programs is very valid and one I hadn't considered.

I don't like the addition of BSU and UNO (but particularly BSU) for several reasons but in particular, as it already stands, we don't get to play every team in the league 4 times. So now what with 12 teams? That means 4 regular season games between member institutions and visits from interesting rivals will be fewer and further between. The DU/UND rivalry, as we all know, is very strong. I look forward to UND coming out here to Denver as I do when they visit CC. Ask anybody-the games with DU are very heated and intense; the games with CC are very fast, exciting, and you never know who's going to win until the very end. I just don't see what value Bemidji brings. I can see a case for UNO but that's about it. On the issue of Final Five venues. The right thing to do would be to rotate it around but unfortunately, we live in a world dominated by dollars so I am realistic enough to understand that this tourney will likely always be in St. Paul. It would be nice if the league could experiment and try it every couple years at an alternate site. Of course I have selfish reasons for having it in Denver at the Pepsi Center but to rule it out because they don't THINK it could draw enough people isn't fair until they've actually tried it.

If the Waxman/Markey Bill actually did anything to effectively reduce carbon emissions, then perhaps your argument would have some merit. Unfortunately, this was a politically-motivated bill pushed through Congress and passed (by 1 vote) thanks to kickbacks and payoffs to moderates and blue dog Democrats. If this wasn't a politically motivated piece of legislation, I don't know what is. This bill will effectively create a $2 trillion tax on American families (no, not just on the super rich who some like to demonize), particularly the low and middle income families....so effectively the House passed one the most regressive tax increases in this country's history. Oh yah, MplsBison, this will have negative consequences on your great state of Minnesota as well as coal production in states like North Dakota, Wyoming, etc. go to support over 50% of the energy needs in 25 of our 50 states....one of those 25 states-you got it, Minnesota.

I couldn't agree with you more Big A HG. Our green colored glasses sometimes alter our opinions of opposing players including my own. Having watched Rhett Rakhshani play against the Sioux as well as against CC several times, I can tell you he is a talented player and would love to have him on my team. I dis-like DU as much as any other Sioux (or Tiger fan for that matter) but to minimize their consistent blue chip talent would be a mistake (has anyone ever heard of Paul Stasny or Matt Carle?)

I think Scotty Owens' honeymoon is long since over. No dis-respect to Duluth but when your NCAA tournament chances are hanging in the balance and you have home ice in the first round, you gotta do better than just 2 goals all weekend. Nonetheless, despite Duluth beating (deservedly) CC, I will be pulling for the Dogs this Thursday against the Gophers.

It's too bad that we only get guys like Duncan for a maximum of 4 years. He truly epitomizes everything that's good about student-athletes both on and off the ice.

DU's leading goal scorer, Tyler Ruegsegger, is done for the season after suffering a knee injury in Friday night's game against Alaska-Anchorage. DU's other Tyler-Tyler Bozak-is expected to return around the time for DU's first round game of the NCAA tournament but will definitely miss the WCHA Final Five. http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/category/mike-chambers/

Congrats NDSU!!! I think it's really cool you made the NCAA Tourney! Don't just settle making it to the dance; go out there, make some noise, and perhaps shock the college basketball community!

Good point Red Wing. What the Sioux did on their PP tonight was cycle down low with the forward then dishing the puck off to the Sioux defenseman who would be skating in down low along the boards. He would then carry the puck in from the side and skate around behind the Wisconsin net, looking for a forward to pass to in front of the net. During this time, presumably the forward would have dropped back to the point to cover the vacant point but once the Sioux defenseman had circled behind the net, the Sioux forward would leave the point and charge into the slot hoping for a pass from the D-man. From there, Wisconsin would either intercept the pass or break up the play and then go off to the races on an odd man rush. This happened on several occasions and the Sioux are lucky they only gave up 2 short-handed goals tonight.

I too went to the games this weekend. The Sioux certainly brought intensity tonight but they failed in execution, starting with the 5 minute power play. They just couldn't get it together with several off sides, an icing and just inability to make clean passes. The two shorties that Stephan got were due to odd man rushes that the Sioux gave up on the power play. Frankly, they were lucky they only gave up two short handed goals as Wisconsin had a couple of other good opportunities while killing penalties. I think Eidsness was back too far in his crease on the first short-handed goal as well as he gave up the far side, which is where Stephan put the first of his two goals. The second one, you certainly can't blame Eidsness as he made the first save off a tough shot but then Stephan buried the rebound while Eidsness was down. Oh well, perhaps like others have said in the post before, a loss-in a weird way-might benefit the team going into the playoffs and the NCAA's. Maybe it'll humble them a bit as well as give them a reminder of how much it sucks to lose as well as serve as a wake up that they gotta play their A game here on out, regardless of who their opponent is. Congrats on the team though for coming out with a split, on the road in a very tough building (those Badger fans are friggin brutal), and for winning the MacNaughton Cup. They clawed their way back after a slow first half of the season and should be commended for that.

So I flew into Madison this weekend from Denver for the Sioux/Badgers series. My buddy has season tickets right in the middle of the student section (his wife is a student). It was nice to see the Sioux not only beat the Badgers in their barn but to clinch the MacNaughton Cup was icing on the cake! Fair warning to any Sioux fans who think about wearing green and sitting (standing) in the student section-the students point at you and chant in unison, "asshole, asshole!" I kept a pretty low profile last night so fortunately, that didn't happen to me but it happened to this other guy a lot! I guess he got the last laugh at the end of the game though! Let's go out and get a sweep tonight; let's not settle for only last night's victory! A couple observations about the game last night: 1) If you hold onto the puck too long and/or have your head down, Wisconsin will make you pay. They are such a physical team. 2) North Dakota's power play did not look good the entire night (until when it counted at the end!). I don't know if I should be criticizing the Sioux or praising Wisconsin for their tenacious penalty kill. Perhaps a little bit of both. 3) Wisconsin students have some funny, creative cheers such as, "Sioux's a girl's name! Sioux's a girl's name!" 4) The Kohl Center, as nice as it is, can't touch the Ralph

My sincere apologies for mis-spelling Mike Commodore's name! I hope he doesn't come after me!!!

If anyone is interested in learning about the rules and unwritten rules behind fighting in hockey, I strongly recommend they read, 'The Code-The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL' by Ross Bernstein. I wrote a letter to the Herald mailbag about five years ago, arguing why the NCAA's strict rules against fighting actually make the game more dangerous. Fighting actually cleans up the game when you factor in guys who use their sticks as weapons knowing they are less likely to face going face to face with fists. I'd take a fist to the face any day over the working end of a stick. I enjoyed this book and it gave me a much better perspective on the rules of engagement and why fighting is necessary in an inherently violent game such as hockey. I saw absolutely nothing wrong with the Commodre/Greene fight. Greene was standing up for his team mate as well as sending a message to the other team that hey, "I'm the eyes and ears on this team, I will be watching so if you feel it necessary to take a run at one of my guys-fine. But know that there will be consequences, so think long and hard before you do." Commodre also should be commended for following the code-once Greene was down, Commodre let off and stopped punching once Greene was in a vulnerable position on his back. Okay, I'll get off my soap box now. I gotta get packed to fly out to Wisconsin for the big hockey series between the Sioux and Badgers! GO SIOUX!!!

Does anyone know if/when the goals from today's game will be linked up? I'd love to post the OT winner on my facebook page for all of my DU fans to see!

I can appreciate what some Sioux fans have said about the team's play at times today and yesterday but give CC some credit, they are a fast skating, skilled team who knew that the stakes were huge for them in terms of their NCAA tournament chances. I think the fact that the Sioux went into a protective shell in today's 3rd period is a sign of respect towards CC's forwards who can beat you just like that. I don't think they wanted to give Rau, Sweatt, or Walski a chance to beat them on an odd man rush. That said, CC is now on the wrong side of the bubble. A win against DU next weekend would certainly help. That goal that Zajac got today, wasn't that similar to a game winning goal that the Sioux scored a few weeks ago? I recall Kozek or someone saying that a few weeks ago (Mankato I believe?)...that it's a design play-the winger throws a wrister on net, hoping that the goalie will kick it out and then the other winger comes in high and bangs in the rebound. Great play by Kozek, Malone, and Zajac.

I'm probably the only CC grad to be tickled pink right now! What a great character win for the Sioux today!

As some of you may know, I'm a CC alum but born and raised in North Dakota. I pull for CC everytime they step on the ice, EXCEPT when it's against our mighty Sioux! (I bleed green like you guys) With that, I will be attending Friday night's DU/St. Cloud game and pulling for Jan Brady all the way. Then, I will be listening to the Sioux on Saturday and Sunday and hoping for a big sweep of the Tigers! GO SIOUX!!!

Man, thank you for your comment, and I hope that your point regarding Michigan State in 2007 will also hold true for the Sioux this year.

I went to the Beanpot and I have to say that both Northeastern and Boston University are for real, particularly BU. Northeastern gave up 3 shorthanded goals which will bury any team but on the whole, they played a very competitive, spirited game. The BU and Northeastern student sections were awesome! They are very vocal and have some creative cheers. I wore my Sioux jersey and my buddy wore his CC Tigers jersey and the fans there were really cool to us. I also realized that Hockey East may have as terrible officials as the WCHA.

Scott Sandelin

How much time is left? I'm having problem picking up the audio feed.

Jason Blake's goal was pretty. He dished the puck to the D man who shot it and the rebound came right back to Blake who blasted a one-timer past the goalie. If the Leafs can hang on, it will stand as the game winning goal. About 5 1/2 mins left in the game. Side note: Blake is on fire, 9 goals his last 13 games. I wonder if all those Leafs fans who said some pretty nasty, personal things about him are feeling just a little bit bad now?

http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2009/01...-of-sioux-fans/ A great example of a huge lack of journalistic integrity by the Denver sports media. I recall Mike Chambers of the Denver post writing virtually the EXACT SAME story last year about Colorado College fans.

Can someone fill me in on why Jones was so mad as well as why he lined up in the forward spot on the faceoff? I got the impression he wanted to fight that Gopher player....but why? Was it because of the hit on Trupp?

GOAL!!!