fightingsioux4life

If this is a team full of "role players", how did we ever get to the Frozen Four the past three years? And why are so many of our underclassmen targeted by their respective NHL teams with contracts that have lots of zeros on the end year after year? And why does our roster currently have 11 NHL draft choices on it? Either the talent is there or it isn't. We just have to start playing earlier in the season so we can get a decent seed in the WCHA and NCAA playoffs. And adding another MacNaughton Cup wouldn't hurt, either. But I think we can kiss that goodbye for this year.

You are correct. The point I am making is that a team with this many upperclassmen (10 Juniors and 4 Seniors) should not be struggling this much early in the year. This isn't 2005-06 when we had freshmen leading the charge. Even last year you could excuse the team for a slow start because of all the underclassmen that left the team during the offseason. Not this year. There is no good excuse for the lack of offense, the abysmal powerplay and the lack of success at home. If these things don't turn around before Christmas, this could be a long, cold winter in Grand Forks. The late season turn around trick won't work every year.

We almost have to win tomorrow night and sweep the struggling Rodents (who lost again tonight) at home. Otherwise, we'll be consigned to fighting for "the 5th and final home playoff spot in the WCHA". Or worse. This is one of the most underachieving teams we have had in a long time.

Then let's either work out a deal with the Dallas Stars to use the old logo or modify it so that it isn't the same thing. Oh wait, I already pointed that out, didn't I? Look, I am not saying that the North Star name is the answer (I think Roughriders is worth at least a look). But I want as many options on the table as possible. That could take a couple of years to figure out, but since we have three years to work with that shouldn't be a problem. As long as it isn't Flickertails, NoDaks or something handpicked by Ron His Horse Is Thunder and Jesse Taken Alive, I think we will all learn to live with it. End rant.

Now you are comparing apples and oranges. The teams that you mentioned changed logos and uniforms, but they didn't change their names and geographical locations. The Minnesota North Stars no longer exist. Long live the Dallas Stars (I still think they should be called the South Stars, but that is another topic for another time). I am not saying you don't have valid points on this, but that was not the best analogy. I agree with what some people have said: change just enough of the logo to satisfy copyright concerns and give it a shot. And if we had to work something out with the Dallas Stars, I don't think it would be that difficult. We are a college sports program, they are an NHL franchise; I don't think it would be that threatening to them. And by using the North Stars name and at least a similar version of the logo, our hockey team (with the media coverage it attracts) might help boost sales of the retro merchandise and help the Dallas Stars make more money in the process. Everything in business and life is negotiable (unless you are dealing with Ron His Horse Is Thunder and Jesse Taken Alive )

MafiaMan, I have to disagree with you on this. For years, UND had a verison of the Chicago Blackhawk logo on the front of its hockey jerseys. There must have been some type of agreement with the NHL franchise to use it. Why couldn't a similar agreement be forged with the Dallas (South) Stars? (sorry I couldn't resist the dig against that franchise) As for the North Star name being Minnesota's state motto (actually, it's Star of the North, but who's paying attention), well I couldn't care less about that. If we are going to build the search process on the premise of not using something that someone else used in the past or is using in the present, it's going to take a long time to find a suitable replacement. When Grand Forks Central switched from Redskins to Maroon and Grey and finally to Knights, some people said that Climax-Fisher used the name already and it was wrong, wrong, wrong for Central to use it. Well, its been about 13 years since GFC adopted Knights as its name and it hasn't caused any problems for anyone. Any new name should be able to incorporate our school colors and be able to stand up to the test of time. It should also be marketable and give us an identity. North Stars fits this criteria. I'm not saying that it's the perfect solution or even the right solution, but we are going to have to broaden our criteria as it pertains to what we will consider and accept or else this process will not yield a palatable result.

Have to disagree with you here. The main problem with this team right now is inconsistency on offense (6 goals one night, 1 the next; 8 goals one night, 2 the next). When we are skating, moving the puck, getting guys in front of the net for screens and deflections; we are a very dangerous offensive team. When we stand around, play dump and chase without the chase, crash the net, shoot from the point or from bad angles all the time; we are a very average, mediocre offensive team. We have the tools to be good at both ends of the ice, but we are still not doing it.

It's gut check time for this team. Either we rise to the challenge and get 2 or 3 out of 4 points this weekend (I would be shocked if we swept at Denver), or we fall further and further behind the teams ahead of us. The talent is there, but games are not won on paper. They are won by the team that works the hardest and plays the smartest. We did neither last night. Having said all that, my prediction errors on the side of optimism: Friday: UND 4, DU 3 Saturday: UND 2, DU 2 Three out of four points would help this team's confidence (and conference standing) right now.

You are right, I probably should keep off the message boards for at least 24 hours after my team loses a playoff game so I don't come off as a bitter fan. I have nothing personal against GVSU or Laker fans in general. But if you have experienced what our fans have experienced over the past 20 years or so, you would understand our frustration. During the 1980's and early 90's, we took a back seat to North Dakota State (ugh!). After that, it was North Alabama. After that, it was Northern Colorado. After that, it was Northwest Missouri State. Then in 2001, we finally break the playoff glass ceiling and win a National Championship. I thought our time had arrived to build a championship legacy. And then GVSU comes along with their 4 titles in 5 years while we sit in the background sharing conference titles with other teams and coming up short in the playoffs over and over again. It isn't GVSU that most of us have a problem with, it's the fact that we haven't fulfilled all the promise that was there earlier in the decade. I will say that GVSU winning is much more tolerable than NDSU or UNO. On Saturday, I will have to stick with Central Washington and the NCC. I don't think I can take you up on your offer this season, but next season I think I can and will. I hope our teams can meet again in the future (although I concede that is a long shot).

If this team is going to hang some banners this year, this splitting at home nonsense is going to have to stop. I am sick and tired of hearing what a good team Duluth is; they are better than last year but they are still a second division team that we should sweep at home, no questions asked. This team has shown what they are capable of at times this season (last night's third period for instance), but then they lapse back into going through the motions and not playing with any energy or jump. We are still .500 in the league and if we don't start sweeping some teams, we will be back in that familiar position of fighting for "the fifth and final home playoff spot in the WCHA". This team has much, much more talent than that. But if they don't start bringing it every game and start taking care of business at home, fifth is the best we can hope for.

We need to sweep this series. Every league point is precious in a tough conference. GO SIOUX!!!

There have been a lot of "woulda, coulda, shoulda's" for the football program over the past five years or so. Frustrating beyond words.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I disagree. I am sick and tired of "tradition doesn't graduate". I am sick and tired of that cartoonish Popeye the Sailorman logo. I am sick and tired of hearing "If Anes had been healthy, we would have won hands down in 2001". And I am sick and tired of playing second fiddle to the Lakers year after year after year (I know that is a moot point from now on because we are moving up, but I'm still sick of it). If CWU goes into Allendale and wins next week, I will be one happy sports fan. And I am not ashamed to say that.

It looks like another episode of "tradition doesn't graduate" next week! Another choke job for UNO; great win for CWU. When you have a great QB, you always have a chance.

Zach Miller intercepted at the CWU 6, returned to the 23!

Zach Miller sacked for loss of 4 yards to the CWU 36. Timeout Nebraska-Omaha, 00:50 left.

Zach Miller rushes for 7 yards to the CWU 32. Timeout Omaha. 0:57 left.

First down UNO at the CWU 39. UNO has all 3 timeouts left.

UNO at their own 47. 3rd and 3 coming up.

PAT no good. It remains 20-17 CWU with 1:36 left in the game. Can Miller drive it down the field? I don't think he is good enough as a passer.

TOUCHDOWN CENTRAL WASHINGTON!!! Mike Reilly to Johnny Spevak. PAT pending. 1:36 left.

First down CWU at the UNO 18. I can't say I am surprised at this.

Zach Miller is INTERCEPTED at the UNO 30 yard line. First and 10 Wildcats!!!

UNO starts 1st and 10 on their own 13 with 2:43 left in the game.

PAT good, unsportsmanlike conduct on UNO. Will be assessed on the kickoff. Mavs are imploding in the playoffs. Again.