jk

I agree. It's enormously difficult. (For some strange reason this group of Gophers makes it look easy, but that's another story.) Think of some of the top programs: All of a sudden Michigan's last title was in 1998, BU 1995, MSU 1986. It's disappointing, but I just cannot say that UND choked because they played hard and well. It didn't happen, but that's hockey sometimes.

I disagree. It was a pattern last year, but you just can't say that it was a consistent problem for a team that won 30 games, that led the nation in scoring (by a lot), and that led the nation is scoring differential.

Like most here, I am extremely disappointed; not a good night of sleep last night. However, I think some of the sentiments expressed are off the mark. I don't think the Sioux ran out of gas, failed to show up, or underachieved last night. I guess this team has to be compared to 98 and 99, because it was about the same caliber team. 98 lost to Michigan in Yost in an up-an-down affair that was pretty evenly played. 99 just could not get it going against BC and got outplayed by BC. 2004 showed up to play, played well, deserved to win, and did not get the puck-luck needed to win at this time of year. I thought they did everything they could to win, and that is all you can ask of a team. There are no moral victories in the playoffs, so I'm not suggesting that people should feel better because the team outplayed Denver. Criticize them for not finishing their chances, but bounces and goaltending are part of hockey, and the Sioux were not able to overcome those things last night. They tried, though. I'm not sure they could have tried any harder or done much differently, other than the obvious. This is what the Swami said on USCHO: "I am indeed happier than a pig in pig poo, but I must say that despite my tears of joy at going to Boston, I feel terrible for the Sioux, who outskated, outworked, outshot and outplayed us tonight and deserved to win the game. The Sioux are a great tradition in our game, and it pains me when one WCHA team has to knock another WCHA team out. Sometimes, the best team doesn't win, and we were certainly lucky to have a shot go in...." Another Denver fan: "The Sioux were obviously the more talented team, and infact deserved the win. There's no denying that. Do not hang your heads in shame, because the loss did not come due to overconfidence or lacidasical play. It was an absolute war on the ice tonight, starring not one, but two outstanding netminders." I can't think ill of the team after they played their guts out. But that's just me. Thanks, Sioux, for some great memories and good luck in the future.

Just one of those games... Sometimes the goals just flow into the net, and sometimes you can't buy even one. Hasn't been mentioned yet, but despite what the Sioux coaches and players might have said, I do not think the Sioux look comfortable on the big rink. They just have not mastered the keep-away game that Lucia's teams seem so good at. It is no surprise to me that UND's best weekend this year occurred up in that little pinball machine in Duluth. You can forecheck, force mistakes and get the puck to the net so fast. On the big ice you skate skate skate to the corner to chase down a loose puck. Just my opinion.

bertibm, now is not the time. you should just go away and come back later for decent discussion

Really f depressing. The Sioux played well, but it just wasn't meant to be.

I thought the Sioux looked sharp that period. Didn't give much up in their own zone, cycled the puck well, and had some good chances. With Berkoehl (sp?) appearing to be on his game, it's probably going to be another death match with Denver, which there have been a lot of in the last three years. Announcers said Blais wanted more size on defense against Denver, so Marvin is in for Bina. Sioux just need to keep doing what they are doing, especially sending guys to the net for rebounds. When a goalie is playing well, you need traffic, screens, deflections and rebounds. The pretty play is probably not going to go in.

There are exciting 1-1 games, and then there was this. What a snoozer. Despite what Maine did to BC at the end of the year (after BC had clinched), I do not expect to see Maine beat either BC or Michigan in Boston. Congrats to Wisco on an outstanding season, considering where they were coming from.

sagard, it's hard not to like the NHL rink after the barn-burner UND and MN put on last week. It was a great example of the greatness of college hockey.

Sioux play Denver Saturday night. According to the USCHO recap, Blais said JPar will be in nets for UND.

If you are going to name potential replacements up front, Canady is at the top of my list. (Actually Stafford is my top choice, but that goes without saying.) I am going to miss seeing David Lundbohm's crafty little puckhandling moves after this year. With all the talent on this team, no one handles the puck in tight spaces like he does.

With about 7 minutes left the Massen line had the only bad shift of the third; otherwise it has been a solid defensive effort. Best defensive game I have Schneider have this year; of course it was against HC, but still, he was an animal. Sioux player of the game: Parise (the other one). If not for a few big saves when the Sioux were asleep, this could have been a different game.

His mom came out with a wet washcloth. I think HC just ran out of gas in the last few minutes. Sioux are buzzing, and HC seems helpless.

Even before he scored, I thought Prpich stepped up his play in this game, and was one of the few besides the top line who was really going. It was reminiscent of last year, when he was very visible at the Final Five and against FSU. He must be a playoff kind of guy. He also scored the game-winner against UMD Saturday.

Not sure I want to wear these guys out against Holy Cross. At this point they have to, I guess, but part of the beauty of this draw was resting your big guys in the first game.

Put the PP unit back together and it's a goal.

Why is Greene on the first PP unit for the first time this year? If Genoway comes off, then I would put Fuher up there.

Sioux better early in the second, but need to put it on the scoreboard.

That was really pathetic. I don't like to bag on the team, but I'll break my rule here to say that was terrible. They will lose tomorrow if they play like that, and they may lose tonight.

Sioux not sharp. Better pick it up here before the Crusaders start to think they're in a game.

Also Nick Fuhrer

We have Linbomb and Bochenko skating for UND tonight.

Maine has a player who transferred from MINOT STATE !! Penner (?) I think. Wow.

Stafford and Smaby should be tucked into their beds tonight. No hockey playing or watching or anything. Marvin can fill in ably at defense and Canady, Fabian, Massen or Palmo can step solidly into a forward spot. UND will definitely need the full lineup Saturday. At least for tonight's game, this is a good time to appreciate the value of having such an excellent season, which yielded the number one overall seed and the lightest opponent in the tournament.

I was thinking as I looked at the predictions that the Sioux scores look too high and the Sioux SOG look too low. I have tried to be cautious about this game, but I think the boys will be ready to play and will take care of business. If you recall how dominant the Parise line looked against MN, and consider how that level of play would look against a lesser team, it doesn't bode well for Holy Cross. Miscellaneous predictions: Sioux forwards will lug 180 extra pounds each around the offensive zone, rarely drawing a HC holding penalty. HC will occaisonally carry the puck into the Sioux zone (although most of the time they will dump it in and go for a change), and a Sioux defenseman will go to the box almost every time they do.