jk

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.

Thanks, taz. I agree with a lot of your post. The old REA had 30 years to build memories. I think the new REA will still be here in 50 years and will be a beautiful fixture on campus.

The Sioux travel to Houghton for a pair. If UND had swept UAA last week, I could accept less than four points out of this weekend. However, having given a point up to UAA, I think they need to go get that point back with a road sweep. Winning on the road is difficult, but to be #1 and win the WCHA, this is the kind of weekend the Sioux need to sweep. On the Fargo recap (thanks, btw), the fourth line is listed as Lundbohm, Massen and Prpich. This surprises me only in that I was expecting to see McMahon, Prpich and Fylling reunited to check Conner's line. So now who checks that line? I would guess McMahon, Canady and Fylling. If those are the "lower" lines ... well, talk about just rolling four lines. One other thing: the Sioux owe MTU for Saturday night at the REA last year, probably the team's worst effort of the season, and the start the late-season slide.

Bartholomay committed to Nebraska-Omaha last week.

This is now updated through 19 games. This is how UND's and its opponents' scoring breaks down this year (UND's scoring listed first): 5x3 3-0 (When UND has the 5x3 advantage, it has outscored its opponent 3-0.) 5x4 9-3 5x5 69-28 4x4 7-0 4x5 2-12 3x5 0-1 6x5 1-0 (extra attacker goal) 5x6 3-0 (empty net goal) Total 94-44 I'm going to go on record with my opinion that the PP is improving, even though the numbers don't yet show it much. At least it's not the train wreck to watch that it was earlier in the season.

UND 43 UMD 35 UMN 35 UW 32 SCSU 31 CC 26 Denver 25 AA 20 Mankato 18 MTech 15

Dan Brooks saw a screening of the movie. This is from the Pioneer Press: ------------------------------ "The movie is awesome. People were cheering in the theater. Kurt Russell is the movie; he is absolutely phenomenal. His portrayal of my dad is uncanny; he portrays my dad as a little softer and gentler than he really was. But he looks like him, has his mannerisms and all his sayings. He must have really researched him and watched a lot of tape. I know he spent a lot of time talking to my dad. It was very emotional watching." Herb Brooks died at age 66 last August in a one-car accident just north of the Twin Cities. Danny Brooks said he got chills watching the film. "People who knew my dad are going to eat this up," he said. "There will be absolute puddles from watching this movie."

Did there happen to be a lot of pretty college girls left in line when the boys asked to stay?

TC transplant, You seem to get away with a lot here; your one-liners fly under the radar. Poor WPOS takes all the flack.

CRR, FWIW: I was the one who jumped on you about Goren, and I think I was just having a bad day or something because, in retrospect, you were just calling it as you saw it, which is fine.