SiouxTupa

Also...I love it when goals come from the randomest guys. Isn't it great when guys like Greene get a goal? How about when Jones racks up a couple against Minni? It's great, I love it.

Last year, when he was a freshman, I told my friends to watch how he shoots; commenting on the accuracy, and varying beauty of the goals he already scored. This year, with his tenacity up a notch, I assumed his point production would curb while he rounded out his game. However, I knew to watch him once and awhile, and that he would be a good player. I consider myself to be a pretty fine talent scout...albeit lazy. I'm not out looking for guys, but when we play a team I comment on a player to watch for the other team, and who I think was the breakout (sioux) star of the game afterwards. Now it's to the point where they ask me who they should watch when the teams skate out before the game. After selfishly tooting my horn for a few seconds there, I want to point out that Prpich is a good player, and has the ability to score some pretty goals. That's about it...Good for him...and good for the team.

I'd probably say 17, but I'm not really sure who else wore it aside from Jeff Panzer. Guess you can't really bank on a number until you see who's wearing it.

I agree...I think he is honing his playmaking abilities as well, having always wanted to model his game after a Steve Yzerman type. The frustration is important, but knowing Zach, I'm sure that as long as the team is winning and playing well he'll be happy. This team, finally, is about more than one player/line, they are playing together and creating chances. ZPar will breakout soon, his supporting cast is too talented not to allow that. The 100 goal mark is pretty reachable, but honestly I would rather have great depth of scoring than be a one line wonder... So I've decided that this team can have both a stellar line and depth of scoring, And I'm sure DU agrees with me.

The bottom line is: Denver was outmatched this weekend. I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the series when I made my predictions...5-2, 4-4 (4-3). What was a nice surprise...I think, could only see it in my head based on TH's calls...was the great defense we played. Blocking shots, creating turnovers (lots, it sounds like) and transitioning well. UND is a great transition team, and they played well end to end this weekend. Denver is a good team and will rebound...I'm astonished that they kept Adam Berkhoel in for all 8 goals...didn't they see what Patrick Roy did in Montreal after they didn't pull him for 7 Detroit goals? Sounds like running four lines is working out. Scoring from all lines wins big games. Depth...good teams have it..."cupcakes"(lol) get stung by it. It looks to me that this year, the team will be in better shape for the second half. They are picking each other up, scoring well, and winning games against good teams. It will be interesting to see if everything continues to snowball until we outright dominate, but I look forward to it!

I think the World Juniors is a great experience for these guys. ZPar was USA's leading goal scorer last year, and said he had a great time. Greene has really honed his defensive game since then as well. I have a friend who, before the WJ's, didn't like Jones or the way he played, but after them he agrees with me that he has improved a great deal. What I don't agree with, as previously mentioned, is the schedule of league games during this time. In such a heated conference teams cant afford to lose some of their best players right at midseason. It's frustrating, and would be the ideal time to throw in a non-conference series against...I don't know...YALE? I'm sure they are going to change that in the next couple years. Blais' been saying that he disagrees with the scheduling of these series as well, and I'm sure other coaches agree... Hell, last year we played CC during this time!

I need to pay more attention I guess . Redwing...can I get the info, I guess I just want to know what the deal is with him. I did read your outrageous defenses of him versus Coach Ditka and even Mini-Ditka. Nice. Back to Denver... Dan Milewski has Denver winning 5-3 and UND 4-3 Sat, what does everyone think of that. In my opinion he made to big of a deal about the powerplay. Right, the special teams need work, but I'm sure they'll come around. I enjoy how badly we're outscoring teams at even strength AND... HOW MANY PENALTIES HAS MATT GREENE BEEN CALLED FOR? I think it is outstanding that he is able to curb his hits to the clean/ruthless side. Bottom line, I would much rather excel at evenstrength than have to rely on powerplay. Think of the Mighty Ducks of a few years ago...Best powerplay in the NHL, tried to feed Kariya sneaking downlow for the onetimer, but still got swept by the wings.

I know it's off the topic...but can someone tell me a bit about Mapletoft? I've been seeing posts about him before, and he sounds dynomite. Coming to UND I assume. It'll be fun to see Crosby develop and continue until he's playing at Forsberg caliber. A shame, I agree that there at least aren't scrimmages. I know it's a risk, but it would be a great learning experience for both sides.

For raw talent, consider the 98-99 team. Sure they lost to Wisc for even the WCHA regular season title (if I remember right), and didn't do so hot in the NCAA's, but this was Jason Blake's last year as a member of the team...combine that with the talent that won it all the next year, and WOW. Think of the UW team that beat them that year too...Reinprecht and Heatly, that was something. My vote is for the 2000 champions though.

I'm going to say 5-2 Friday, and maybe a 4-4 tie or 4-3 UND on Sat. I don't see Denver coming away with more than a point, but I could be wrong. We'll see how well their line cycling goes and how well the goaltending is. Both teams can score, and I don't expect another super defensive series like SCSU.

I don't think too many saw my first couple posts, which is a shame because they were outrageously long. I thought I'd throw this out because amidst the talk of powerplay and that lone law student I haven't seen much on DU.

For the DU series: A couple things I'd like to note because of comparisons I have heard about this team to last years... One - harder schedule Granted they were at home the team has played #2 Boston College (then #1) (unranked...lol) Minnesota #15 Minn-Duluth #8 St. Cloud Two - bigger, faster defense The addition of Smaby helped (though he seems slow at times, he burys the fool that tries to get by him). Bina, I believe, should be used more often. He is fast (for a little guy) and his great hand/eye coordination makes him hard to get by. Plus, he blocked a few key shots Saturday that stood out in my eyes. Three - breakout seasons for many players I am very impressed by the play of Quinn Fylling, Colby Genoway and a few others. These are guys that have been in the system awhile (especially Quinn), and are making improvements at this level. For a team to be successful it needs help from all of its parts, now I know it's early, but this team is getting help from many pleasant surprises. What I know about DU is this: They come at you with speed. Last year's game 3 of the playoffs was one of the tightest, most exciting games I've seen. Of course UND prevailed on an Andy Schneider slapper from the point, but it came in overtime. Adam Berkhoel is one of the nation's toughest goaltenders, and in true Mile-High City form the Pioneers seem to be manufacturing good goalies. (running backs for the Broncos...). It doesn't (yet) appear that Berkhoel is feeling the Kollar-effect from the loss of a strong #1, but only time will tell. Other than that I don't think their team stacks up incredibly well to ours this year. Some names to watch out for though, Connor James, Kevin Ulanski, Gabe Gauthier, and Jeff Drummond. They have always been deep, but if we play consistenly we should come out alright. For a last note, I'm running long for my second post ever... The powerplay will come around, Blais has been around almost a decade and knows the remedy. I like the idea of a big guy up front to deflect/screen, but also what I've seen a lot of in the NHL is putting a scoring forward on the point for the quick shot and looking for the deflection. We've been pretty cutsey lately, I agree, but perhaps a Bochenski or even a Prpich would help because they both have great shots, and can rip them off quickly. That's it I'm done for now...

I've been reading these for about two weeks, and I figured I'd chime in finally for this series. I know a bit about the game and love reading other people's insights on the team. I was glad somebody (actually many bodies) were up in arms about that editorial in the Dakota Student. Granted it was this person's opinion about the student section, he was still incredibly naive. Bottom line: expect a little torment if you are an opponent in the heart of the home fans. I laughed my a.. off when I read Beersong's remarks about his times at UMD. These people will never get a clue. I actually did the same thing in St. Cloud last year. I wore my Sioux Crew shirt and sat in the middle of the student section with my SCSU friend who also wore one. Massen's goal on Saturday of that weekend saw the two of us standing amidst many horrible glares, but believe me I heard it when the Puppies did score. It was great!