jk

http://www.uwbadgers.com/sport_news/mhky/h...3_16_21_20_mhky You can watch Saturday via UW's internet feed - and I think it's free.

The '05 class needs to be good. UND loses 6 senior forwards (plus early departures) and 3 senior defensemen (again plus early departures) that Spring. I believe Spirko is an '84, so I doubt he would wait until 2005, although I don't know anything about the situation.

Someone at POI (who has a total of 1 post ever there, and therefore limited credibility) has said that Lee from Moorhead has verbally committed to UND. I have no idea whether it is true, but we should know soon enough.

I am not a fan of posting stuff from other boards and then taking shots at it, so that is not my intention here at all. I found this Badger fan summary of UND, and I think it's funny. Good rivalry stuff, IMO, if you are in a mood to not be offended. ------------------------------------ Current Record: 19-3-3, .820 (WCHA: 13-2-3, 29 pts.) Location: Grand Forks, N.D. (founded: 1883) (flooded numerous times since then) Enrollment: 11,500 (not counting sheep) Nickname: Fighting Sioux (real effing PC there boys!) Colors: Green and White (green and white? are you kidding me? what, LIME green and EGGSHELL white?) Conference Affiliation: WCHA Head Coach: Dean Blais (Minnesota '77)(son of bezelbub) Assistant Coaches: Dave Hakstol, Brad Berry (sodom and gemorrah) Captain: Andy Schneider (awaiting pardon from govenor) Assistant Captain: David Lundbohm, Ryan Hale (convicts) Athletic Director: Roger Thomas (son to wendy's founder Dave Thomas, but Dave chose to only reconize wendy as his only offspring) Home Arena: Ralph Engelstad Arena (built: 2001) (hell hole) Capacity: 11,500 (again, not counting sheep) Rink Dimensions: 200x85 Arena Address: One Ralph Engelstad Arena Drive; Grand Forks, ND 58203 Ticket Information: (701) 777-2236 Radio Station: KQHT 96.1 FM (Internet Broadcast) Press Coverage Local Media: Grand Forks Herald Student Paper: Dakota Student (I am not even going to touch this one)

Thanks for the extended recaps. In thinking about the "troubles" of late (Saturday struggles against UAA, MN and DU, higher shots allowed, lack of scoring depth), I have realized what I think about this team's ability and success. The money line makes this version of the Fighting Sioux a very good team, but only if everyone is going all out all the time is this a "special" team. I don't believe the talent level is overwhelming to the point where the team can get by with less than their best effort. We have seen ample evidence of this lately. My understanding of the Saturday Denver game is that no one who watched it would conclude that either team was clearly better, which is contrary to what I hope is the truth. (This is in contrast to the Saturday UAA game, where UAA hung in there but clearly was less talented.) As I mentioned earlier, I understand how the Sioux players could have lost their edge a bit by the end of the weekend - they had had their way with Denver earlier, maybe the emotional effort of the MN weekend catching up to them - but whatever the reason, the resulting battle showed what can happen when the other team plays with more passion than UND. When the team is "on" it seems like few teams can stay with them. They key will be to be at their best for four straight games in March and April. It's nice that the goalies are playing so well.

I didn't see the game, so perhaps if I had I would be a little more down, but I don't think this game is reason to get too down on the team. I look at it this way: The Sioux had outscored Denver 20-5 over three games, and had a 1-0 lead after two periods. The game seemed in control. Then Denver came out and got some momentum and played their guts out. I can't fault the Sioux for having lost a little respect for Denver and underestimating them. 20-5 will do that to you. I had the same uncomfortable deja vu after UND lost 2-1 to SCSU early. They couldn't seem to buy a goal. I've seen enough now to know that I'm not going to worry about it if they run into a hot goalie or fail to convert for a game here or there. As the third rolled on and it was apparent there was a real battle, I was happy to take the point and move on.

As to the quality of play, some of the POI guys can really skate and move the puck. There are a few scrubs (WPoS), but mostly they are very good. I feel qualified to call WPoS a scrub because I'm worse than he is. forecheck (or whoever feels in charge), when you list me as playing, you should know that I can't play very well at all. I can give someone a rest for a few minutes, but that's about it.

A few funky line combinations for consideration by the panel of experts (tks, gator): Parise, Murray, Stafford The Golden Line - A great team was able to keep them mostly in check. Against a good team (Denver), they should be able to show some of the brilliance we are used to seeing. Genoway, Bochenski, Hale A stretch, maybe, but I thought Hale was one of UND's best forwards against MN. Maybe he can loosen the defense up a little for the other two by banging Denver's loving, cuddly defensemen around a bit. Lundbohm, Porter, Fylling Cycled brilliantly in the HOF game against Duluth. Might be time to reunite these guys. McMahon, Prpich, Canady/Massen I've liked Canady's revival this Winter, but Friday wasn't his best game. Massen also didn't seem to have a strong game Friday, but I feel like he needs to continue to see the ice to try to get him going. This line could be matched up against Gauthier, who I think is Denver's best offensive player. The MN series was chippy and scrappier than heck, so I understand and appreciate Prpich's function in such a series. While I know Denver is also physically very tough, I'd like to see Prpich get back to playing hockey as though a puck were involved.

NDH, I understand the sentiment, but, when in doubt, I like to put the points in the bank, especially at home. I have a feeling this weekend will have its tense moments, and I hope the guys can put last weekend's emotions to rest with the care necessary to allow them to come out firing this weekend. If you think another couple losses might be good for the attitude, there are a couple of road trips to Madison and Duluth where that might end up happening (I'm sure you'll be there to help prevent them).

It's just about time to move on, but I'm glad you posted this, sprig, because it helps to explain why I didn't leave Saturday demoralized, as I think I would have by a game with such a shot discrepancy. MN played really well, got a few bounces, received neutral officiating at worst, and the Sioux were still there in the last minute arguing about whether their tying goal was good. It was really good hockey by both teams, and I thought both teams earned two points on the weekend. About Koalska's goal: I don't have a tape, but I know the second Gopher through, and I think the intended recipient of the pass, was completely tied up by ZPar. Coming right behind him was Koalska, with Stafford just a half-step behind him. The way the senior Koalska was playing, it's not surprising he was able to break free of the pup Stafford, but it's noteworthy that Stafford wasn't out at the blue line watching - he was indeed right there and just got beat. About Waibel tackling Murray and Woog's noting it as a "good play," I agree 100% with Woog. With 10 seconds left, I would rather risk a penalty by tackling Murray than let him get the puck and perhaps toss it in front of the net where any number of funky things could happen. The risk-reward definitely favors taking Murray out.

I put this on POI, but it applies here as well: ------------------------ As a Sioux fan, here is what I wondered going into the weekend: how would UND handle the heat when a really good team poured on the pressure? Would they melt or stay composed? I have had the question answered to my satisfaction, and I leave the weekend pleased, and with two points. MN played great. I would grade the periods: Even, MN, Sioux, Even, MN, MN. The Gophers brought the heat in the last two periods tonight, and despite the shot totals, UND actually played pretty well in their own end. They let the goalie see the first shot, then they picked up their guys and cleared rebounds. It was a good defensive effort on the road against a great team, including having quite a lot of penalty-killing to do. This might sound funny to you guys since MN played so well tonight in getting the win, but for the first time I'm OK if UND has to play MN again later this year. I'm not saying they'll win, but I am confident now that they measure up. I am confident that all the ingredients are in place for a run, dangerous top-end offensive players, good depth, tough defensive defensemen, and goaltending. If there is still an Achilles heel, it is goaltending. As for MN, you guys will miss Koalska and Riddle. Sertich has sure gotten better. I really like that hack Taylor, but I appreciate the finer points of brutality on defense (of course I would as a Sioux fan). I fully expect to see these two teams at the end of the year. I thought the hockey this weekend was awesome, including tonight's game, which I thought was more closely contested than the shots indicate. I told my wife about two-thirds through the third that this period is just fantastic hockey - the kind of intensity only the college game provides. Good luck the rest of the way, except when you're playing anybody. ------------------------------ The Sioux goaltending has been outstanding, especially this weekend, so I guess when I say I still have a question about it I mean in comparison to the rest of the team. I think UND's offense and defense will be dangerous and stifling, respectively, the rest of the way. Because it is so crucial, I worry more about the goaltending than those other aspects of the team. I think this was the best I have seen ZPar play, and I thought it was Schneider's best weekend as well. Ryan Hale also earned himself a spot in the lineup next weekend, IMO.

sprig, You nailed it. I thought the Sioux won because they outgoaltended MN. MN was right there with UND 5-on-5, a real rarity this year. Officiating is part of the game. I think people complain about it too much, and look like whiners in the process. There was a lot of stuff going on in this game, both ways, and fans of both sides have a lot to complain about. Shep made up for the lopsided first period by giving the Sioux a few in a row in the third. Woog did nothing but blow kisses to the Sioux all night. He thought the Sioux would win Friday, and MN Saturday. He called it a match-up of two national championship calibre teams. He complemented the Sioux's depth, but most of all he praised their huge defensemen, and how hard they made it to get something going late in the third. So please lay off the Wooger; he was fine. [Of course it was "Lundblom" again, but its kind of endearing now.] Briggs sees better shots than Bochenski's every day in practice. Heck of a screen by Lundblom. Schneider played a good scrappy game. Nice for Porter to get the winner after missing the breakaway. Smaby was solid, Bina a little less so. For Minnie, Briggs seemed rock-solid early, but he seived out a bit in the third. The Talyor/Atherton duo on D is going to be tough for the next three years; they've gotten a lot better since November. Koalska had a better game than I've seen him have for a while, with good jump in his legs. Oh, yeah, and Ballard is a whale of a player. Not the greatest defender in the world, but just a fantastic hockey player. Also a bit of a hack, but I like that in a defenseman if he's on my team. Generally, I thought the first period was about as intense a period of college hockey as you'll see. Real passion on display, speed, skill, checking. Then, understandably, the delay took the life out of the game. It looked to me like both teams were skating in quicksand for much of the last two periods. Real gutty effort for the Sioux to pull out the win.

Sic, I caught that and loved it. I've never had a signature on any board, but that might have to be one.

My opinion was that it should have been called, since it seemed worthy of a penalty call, and he had just called a penalty on Maine. If it had been 5-on-5, in OT, I don't think it should have been called. Lucia obviously thought it was a borderline action, since he sent someone out to tell AH to knock it off.

bertibm, It sounded like it got a little out of hand last year, with the "light contact" allowed. If it were played along the same guidelines as the regular POI outings, friends and hockey fans having fun playing the game, I would be interested. I'm too damn old to be involved in a chippy game where people launch slappers into a crowd.

True, but I think for a lot of elite players who have always dreamed of the NHL, once they are drafted, they take their cues for their career from their NHL team. If their future employer suggests that the next step for their development should be "X", most of them will do "X". Usually the agent will make the team compensate the player for the move. Paul Martin's advisor did a great job on this front, making the Devils pay up to get him to move. I don't necessarily think NJ will want ZPar to move, as they left Commie, Hale and Martin in school for three years each.

Well, the boards are a mess this week, as expected. TC transplant, could you please take it over to USCHO? Most of try to not pollute this site or POI (believe it or not). USCHO is perfect for your type of hockey discussion.

Houghton's newspaper account of Saturday's game included this description of Murray's third period PP goal: "Murray notched the first at 13:27. He was just to the right of Luker and Genoway

Agreed. Thanks very much.

This looks to be a series for the ages. There appears to be a difference of opinion about this, but I personally feel that MN is completely back to where they want to be. To allow one goal in six periods to CC on the road, then shut out MSUM, tells me their defense and goaltending have solidified. They're scoring goals again, and they've only lost one game in more than two months. Here is the key point of interest for me: Both of these teams have been clearly better than their opponents for quite some time now. The last opponent the Sioux played that could stay with them was BC. The last team MN played that was clearly better than them was UND. Even though they subsequently struggled with Wisco and BU, you could tell watching those games who the better team was. For both teams (think about MN's results since they got healthy), each weekend has been a matter of mopping up the weaker opponent. There have been struggles here and there with effort or hot opposing goaltenders, but for the most part, if they came to play, they won. So how will each team play when it faces an equal, an opponent who can pour on the pressure just as well as the team itself? That is the key for me. MN is very good now... just as good as UND, IMO. What a great, great weekend of hockey we have ahead of us. In re-reading this, it may appear that I didn't give enough respect to the Sioux. At this point, the strength of this team goes without saying, IMO. So I didn't bother saying it.

Was just going to post that Hennessy makes it sound like ZPar is playing an incredible series. (then he scored) I wonder how much his knee was bothering him in the first half. He sounds like he has much more of a presence now. A good sign.

I noticed that Lammy had a few rough outings after his return from the holiday tournaments, but it looks like he was in fine form last night. Lincoln beat Tri-City 1-0, with Lammy recording 45 saves on 45 shots. That's a goaltender stealing a game.

The list doesn't reflect which round a player will be taken in, because it only inlcudes North American skaters. If North American goalies and Europeans were included, these guys would be farther down the list. Even so, really nice showing for some of these guys (especially the Sioux ones).

SSM has updated their stats page. Ryan Duncan is the top scorer with 46-44-90 in 45 games. There are quite a few sophomores and juniors among the top scorers. http://www.s-sm.org/Athletics/Statistics.aspx?TeamId=18

Regarding mikejm's report on the ACT issue, if this is in fact well on the way to implementation, we need to seriously correspond with the administration about its detrimental effects on athletics. Having a strong university is about much more than athletics, and I'm not opposed to good academic standards in general, but poorly performing athletic teams garner less interest, and less money, which undermines the university's strength.