Mariucci

Ok that's fair and there may be truth to that.

But where did that reputation come from? How did it start? You certainly can't blame the Gopher program for how the ref's view UND.

Thank you for providing yet one more example of a Sioux fan defending that indefensible incident by Blood.

I think any sensible fan would conclude that the refs don't favor opponents of UND during games. It's just not plausible. I will also say that overall I dont think UND is cheap. But I think there have been incidents over the years where UND has been far more gulity of that crap than the Gophers in head to head match ups. I'm sure you disagree with that part. Can you imagine the outrage on here if Bickel tried to beat up Ryan Duncan in the handshake line? This place would blow up. Yet people on here defend Blood by accusing Rau of actually instigating it because he was yapping his mouth. News flash to Sioux fans, players talk sh&t. In my 25 years of watching college hockey I've seen two instances of fights breaking out during handshakes, both by UND, both against the Gophers.

I was at that game and I would have to give the nod to Big Ben but I guess we can agree to disagree. Gophs won that 6-3 after getting throttled the night before.

Westrum was dirtiest player I've ever seen play college hockey. Great talent but he was actually dangerous at times.

To me the definition of a "pussy" would be the biggest hack on UND(Blood) picking a fight with the smallest Gopher(Rau) during handshakes. Biggest pussy move I've seen in years.

Wisconsin is hands down our schools biggest rival, can't even be argued. But most Gopher fans, myself included, agree with you that UND is tops for hockey.

Dude, I've had discussions with refs at Sugars after games there and they have very strong opinions that UND is the dirtiest team in the league. One official who I will not name called them "psychos." I swear he literally said that. Obviously BOTH teams are responsible with some of the fighting that goes on when they play but I GUARANTEE you that if there was a poll asking all WCHA fans who is the cheapest team in the league the winner would be UND hands down.

Did Frozen4sioux mention class?

Isn't this true at every school to a point though? I remember the old Ralph in the mid '90's with a LOT of empty seats. When the team wasn't doing well a good portion of the fanbase didn't have the time for them. Then the program turned around and the fans came back.

Gophers have played 8 games vs TUCs while UND has played 9. Not a huge difference. I dont know where to find teams strength of schedule to date, maybe someone else can.

I know the incident you're talking about and its laughable to say Bickel hid behind the refs. Bickel was jawing with sioux players, probably Finley, and the ref and Lucia simply got in between them to make sure nothing more happened or it could've gotten ugly, at least it would've for Finley.

Slow footed? Have you seen the Gophers defensive stats? Better than UND's in every category.

Good points. But I've seen enough of him to know he has the quickest glove I've seen for a Gopher goalie, thats all I'm saying.

He sure did. Glove side was Patterson's weakness while it's a strength for Wilcox. I honestly believe Wilcox would have made that save as he has the quickest glove of any Gopher goalie I've ever seen including Stauber.

Saturday of last year at Mariucci he was probably the best player on the ice.

I haven't heard anything about his status yet but this weekend was always the target return date so I'm betting he'll play.

Just because one team gets more pp's than the other does not mean the refs were favoring that team though.

Give me one good reason why the refs would want to consciously favor the Gophers over UND. I mean seriously you guys complain about the refs even before the series begins. It's just pathetic.

I'm simply saying that the refs will not favor the Gophers. The refs will suck equally for both sides.

If the Gophers do get more power plays it will be because they are outplaying UND and drawing penalties. It would have nothing to do with the refs favoring the Gophers.

Yeah, maybe. Definitely a penalty just a judgement call on for how long. Like I said the UAA player did not skate a long distance to make the hit. Im softening my stance on it being a five as it could have gone either way.

I just watched it again and a two minute minor wouldnt have bothered me but like i said earlier hits exactly like this have been majors in this league for years. But after watching it again i feel bad for the UAA player because he didnt skate a long ways to make the hit. Budish was skating along the boards and to protect the puck he turned which faced his back to the hit. That said, im not surprised it was five based on calls ive seen in the past.

If you believe this then youre even more delusional than the Tea Party.