jk

I agree a lot here. As flat as the Sioux were on Saturday, that was not the sole reason for the lopsided play. UAA played extremely well, and they were just too much for the undersized Sioux to handle down low. It was very reminiscent of the MN series. This group of UAA players is not far away from being a very good team. And it's not like they were big and slow either; they had guys blowing by Sioux defensemen all night long. When they kept getting around the outside, I was longing for the Greene/Jones/Smaby/Schneider group that would bury the wide-rusher into the glass. I saw every Sioux defenseman get beat. Even Finley got beat when someone walked right through him from the corner to the crease. I only mention Finley because he has been beaten so rarely this year. To show how badly the team got beat, even the Vandy line, the one I trust most on the ice because they're three big responsible guys, was pretty well physically dominated. Friday I thought Duncan played a great hockey game - just made the right play all game long. Saturday was the worst game I have seen him play. It seemed like every play he tried to make failed. He'd try to saucer a pass ahead on the breakout, and the Seawolf would knock it down and keep it in the zone. He'd try to hit the trailer, and it would get picked off by a back-checker. Again I'm only picking on Duncan because when he gets the puck, the right thing almost always happens; it was just uncanny how many ways things went wrong for him last night. This weekend was my first live viewing of the team this year, and I have to say Oshie looks better than he ever has. Whether because of injuries or something else, I thought he took a bit of a step back last year from the end of his freshman year, when I thought he was about the most dynamic thing in college hockey. Now, I cannot believe there is a better player in college hockey, and I can't imagine that it's even close. (He won't win the Hobey because he isn't being fed a steady diet of Western Michigan and LSSU.) He looks to me like he's playing better than any Sioux since Jeff Panzer's senior year, which includes some pretty outstanding seasons by some great players. And after watching the thicket of sticks he skated through all weekend long (I cannot believe Shyiak would say that), I predict that he will explode onto the professional hockey scene next year. Not just play a regular shift, but have people out of their seats and have highlights on ESPN's plays of the day/week. Having to carry only the puck and not extra players on his back will seem like childs' play to him. Trupp made a play Friday worth mentioning. He knocked a puck out of the air in the offensive corner, hit it again in the air before it hit the ice, then hit it a third time in the air toward the point, all without the puck ever reaching the ice and all while on the move. It admittedly gave the defenseman a tough bouncing puck to handle (although he did handle it, and I didn't catch who it was), but it was quite a display of hand-eye coordination. On the weekend, I saw Oshie's and Trupp's outstanding Friday goals, Vandevelde's patience on his Saturday goal, Watkins thankfully get rewarded for all his hard work with a goal, and the single worst period of Sioux hockey I can remember. I'd say that was a well-rounded weekend. Because of the four points, I can be cavalier about the Saturday display, but I'm sure it will give the coaches some ammunition for the upcoming practice week. I want no part of UAA later this year. I don't think we match up very well with them. When Vandy scored to make it 3-1, I thought: there is no justice. We had no business being in the game on the scoreboard, because we weren't in it on the ice. (But I don't want to give the two points back.) Also, thanks to the goalie for the sweep. They should have let him do the stick salute by himself.

Phil had some game-changing saves at the end of the second period. UAA didn't have a ton of shots, but they had some Grade AA chances (that's like going to 11, or giving 110%). I couldn't see his first and third period saves very well, but the second period was right in front of me, and he kept it from being a 3-2 deficit after 2. I'm sure his defensemen appreciated him, because he bailed them out big-time several times during the game.

Trupp on that line is an idea that keeps drifting through my mind as well. He seems to make things happen on most every shift, and most of all he wins the puck pretty often. The reason I don't like Miller there is he doesn't win the puck along the boards very often, then possession is lost, and the big line's shift is essentially over.

Thank you! I could never figure out why LaPoint was wearing a cape, or what that "S" was on his chest. I thought it stood for "Sioux," but now I know it stands for "Super-D." Note for supporters of a particular player: Try to support the player without tearing down his teammates, and try to keep the support rational. I personally am very pleased with both freshmen defensemen, but I disagree with all or part of each of the four sentences in your post. Best of luck to both LaPoint and Marto.

Sounds to me like the Sioux played better last night. What's been the difference? Tonight SC hits two pipes and had a goal disallowed. Last night the Sioux hit two pipes and missed a ton of great chances - Hak thought they had 14 or 15 Grade A chances. There have probably been four games this year where the Sioux have deserved a better fate: Wisconsin, Tech, UNH and SC. (I can think of only one where the opponent may have deserved better: MN.) What can you do but come back the next night and try to get those points? At least they've done that.

Lost in those terrible third period mistakes was a great effort through the first two periods. Actually the same was true in the previous game. I know you have to play 60 minutes, but the team is close to being there. Earlier we lamented when they came out flat, but that hasn't been the problem lately; they had a ton of jump and were around the net a lot. When they are playing that hard, I can't get on them about a result that they hate much more than we do.

As a Chicago fan wrote, all you need to know about the value of the two is this: When Chicago takes a bench minor, Kane serves it and Toews kills it. Whether that's true or not I don't know, but it sure reads well.

Their loss of composure was horrible and there's no arguing that. I also don't understand having Phil on the bench for the center ice faceoff; there was still 1+ minute left, plenty of time to pull him after you have good possession. However, this was not like the Saturday CC, UMD and Minny games, where they came out flat. UND was better than Friday, and better than UNH for 53 minutes. They really looked good for most of the game, and generated a bunch more good chances than they did the night before. That Twilight Zone episode at the end ruined a good step forward.

The Sioux were playing pretty well 5.5, then the PP's took their momentum away, as stupid as that sounds. My single biggest disappointment this year is the PP. I know JT is fantastic, but last year's great PP seemed to not have a weak link. With 4 of those 5 back, I thought they would be more effective.

All these PPs with no results makes for a bad game when the marbles switch over.

UND played pretty well and had plenty of decent chances, but UNH had the best chances of the period, where they had a guy in all alone a few times. Have to tighten that up.

Sorry to hedge but I'm not 100% sure. Would not be surprised if it's the latter.

Speaking of character, Dale Tallon was interviewed on the Blackhawks' website about 11.5 months ago after returning from the WJC. Of course he raved about JT after the show he put on there, but he also said he told JT that Chicago was ready for him whenever he was ready, whether that was tomorrow or six months from now. He basically implied that he talked to JT about signing after the WJC. He then said that JT is a captain and didn't want to let his college teammates down.

Don't think Kozek's going to be scoring tonight as he may be one of those guys who is dinged up a bit. I guess we'll see soon enough.

I wouldn't be surprised if this helps the Gophers. He obviously was not invested in the team this year, and it showed on the ice. Their team will now have this adversity to rally around. As for talent, they're the Gophers: they still have more talent than all but a handful of teams in college hockey. OK, maybe two handfuls now. Seriously, KO wasn't the reason MN dominated UND for 4 or 5 periods a few weeks ago. The whole team was pretty solid. If they can plug an invested Carman into a dogging Okposo's spot, I could see them still winning a lot of games in the second half.

Hextall's a tough kid. Prpich wasn't big either and he could handle himself. From a game summary on the BCHL board about a week ago: "Was at tonights game as Penticton defeated Vernon 7-2 in front of 1,501 fans at Memorial Arena. 1st Period: Just seconds into the period Penticton went on the early PP and was in full control outplaying the Vipers. Vernon killed off the minor but couldnt stop the speedy Vees as they were dominating the edge in play early. Penticton was flying playing with loads of jump & energy just outskating & outhustling the Vipers in there own zone. Vernon didnt record there first shot on net till the 4 min mark. With the Vees on another PP it would be Brett Hextall scoring at the halfway mark to put Penticton up 1-0. The Vipers seemed to get some life within the next few mins as they finally got some chances down low, but just 3 mins after the Vees first goal, they would go ahead 2-0 after Zac Dalpe found the back of the net after Lucas Gore gave up a huge rebound on the first shot on net. Gore didnt look strong for the 2nd straight night. The Vees wernt done, as just 2 mins later Michael Guzzo went fivehole on a weak shot wich Gore should have stopped to put Penticton up 3-0 and in full control. Brock Palasty & Brett Hextall would drop the mits as Palasty left the ice bleeding from his face. This period was all Penticton as they were up 3-0 after 20 mins of play. Penticton outshot Vernon 11-8." http://www.network54.com/Forum/146929/thre.../Vipers+at+Vees

Woog is fine. When the Sioux have carried the play in recent years, he has had plenty of good things to say.

I can't take seriously anyone who would list Kaip and Watkins as disappointing or lacking in effort. They play their roles terrifically and have chipped in on the scoresheet as well. The team disappointed this weekend, no doubt, but Captain Kaip shows his leadership on the ice every shift. By the way, Oshie was really nicked up. Couldn't do a thing with the puck in practice all week, from what I heard. MN was just really good this weekend. When they get Carman back, they'll go on a good run and have a good shot at third in the league, behind the Colorados. UND's goaltending should keep them in the top five, but until they actually sweep someone, it's hard to see them in third. The next two games are absolutely crucial for qualifying for the NCAAs.

I completely agree that BC will be there again in the end. Parker has gone the way of Gino, Woog and Sauer. For whatever reason, even the greats sometimes can no longer get the job done. It seems that York and Berenson have been immune to this. One of the great things about Blais transitioning the program over to Hak is that we weren't forced to discover whether Blais would succumb to the slide. Usually a program has to hit rock bottom, and suffer for a few years, before new blood is brought in. So Blais brought the program back from a dark period, got the arena built, and then managed a seamless transition to a new era. Thanks Dean.

I personally appreciate hearing from someone who has, in fact, actually seen the recruits play. Whether he turns out to be right remains to be seen, but it's nice to get an opinion anyway.

People are getting a little too optimistic. MN's not as bad as some people think, and UND hasn't been able to sweep a home WCHA series in almost two seasons. Seriously, if they haven't swept Mankato, UAA, MTU or UMD in that stretch, why does sweeping MN seem so easy? If the Sioux play like they did for most of Saturday, they will be tough to beat. However, the ability to consistently play at that level has been the problem.

I loved his poise when I saw him play. No extra movement, no flopping around. I don't know how hard UND went after him, but I was hoping he would end up in GF.

Danny Kristo with the GWG in a 2-1 win over Yale tonight. I believe he continues to lead the U18 team in goals and is near the top in points. Ben Blood and Bruneteau also scored in the USHL tonight.

Watched the first and third periods. For about the first 14 minutes of the game, I thought the Sioux looked fantastic. If they play like that all the time, they're going to win a lot of games. Then the third was painful to watch. They did play smart and keep DU away from the front of the net, but I wouldn't have minded if the puck was down in the other end a bit more. Someone said they thought DU only had 6 good forwards. Geez, it seemed to me like they had about 15. DU could very well win the whole thing again this year, which would make me sick. I wonder if the altitude got to the Sioux in the third. Maybe it was the big ocean effect, but the UND/DU game seemed like it was in fast-forward compared to the MN/MTU game. Despite that, the odds for a split next weekend are huge. UND just flat-out doesn't sweep anyone at home.

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