cavedurtis

Gophers up 3-0. Oops, Bucky scores on pp. 3-1

I agree with Sic's groupings except Bucky. Most young teams with great talent get better as the season progresses, last year they didn't. They started fast, and other then a nice series against UND they faded late. They just don't score enough yet, and I don't think Bruckler will match last seasons success. I put them in the middle group. UND and UMD have the best balance and experience, they will fight for the title and should be highly ranked all year. The Gophers are too young to expect much from early, but if the talent comes together could surprise late.

I went fishing and only caught one.

My sources are telling me that Vanek, unless Buffalo's offer is substantially improved in the next few days, will be back. According to North Dakota Hockey the Gophers will now be cellar-dwellers. It's not a done deal yet, but it's looking more and more like Thomas (or should I say Hobey) will be back.

That's news to me, Vanek taking classes in Grand Forks?

I agree with Rick and pray the Gophers will be "stuck" with Vanek next year and the following one!

Unless he wins back to back championships within 4 years he is a failure.

I agree. It sounds like Thomas has (and must) deny offering the position to anybody at this point since it would subvert the protocol for the hiring process. He's covering his butt. Let's look at this logically. 1. He has admitted that he will hire someone that is currently a university employee. 2. Berry and Hakstol are the 2 current UND employees as hockey coaches (if there are more this point can be argued) 3. It is reported that Berry has no interest in the head coach position at this point. Unless the equiptment manager or Biology teacher makes a late charge for the position it seems the handwriting is on the wall...Hakstol will be named head coach wednesday or soon after. As has been written on this site, to open the position up to outside the university (which is what most level-headed on this site seem to want) would prolong the process at least another 30 days and it doesn't seem as though the administration wants that. IMHO the position should be opened up. You never know who will show interest. Just because there is a well qualified applicant within the UND doesn't mean that there isn't a better one (perhaps with head coaching experience at the NCAA level)outside. Why limit the search?

According to POI Jordy Christian is Ed's (a former Sioux?) son. Jordy scored a goal and notched a helper for the MN Select 16 in it's first game. The teams most productive line through the first two games of the tournament has been Ryan Flynn(3g,1a), Kyle Okposo(1g,2a), and U of M recruit Peter Mueller(3a). It has been reported earlier that Erik Johnson has maroon & gold glasses, we shall see...

In my program Wheeler is listed as a forward.

You are correct. It wasn't the talent level it was the coaching.(And I like Doug I'm only talking about his coaching at the end)

A post like this will make it very difficult for GOON to type his words of comfort to Gopher fans when we begin the season slowly. While a coaching change, especially a surprising one, is jolting to a team, the cupboard is full. There will be a period of adjustment, but the Sioux are deep and talented. The anti-thesis of how Woog and Sauer left their programs. What I don't understand is why Dean left to be an associate head coach? Didn't he think he could get a head coaching job in the NHL? I would think with his record he could. I know the track-record of college hockey coaches making it big isn't the greatest but i think Dean will be very successful.

04Spud, welcome to the fold, you have seen the light.

Travis Roche, while being a good player was not a #11 overall pick in the first round. Too bad the scouts don't agree with your comparison. I agree that Keith is not the defensive equal of Jordan or Paul but who is (other than Jones of course). To say he "does not play a lick of defense" is a gross exaggeration and simply untrue.

I think your brain is frozen under the tundra of your hairline.

I agree that this needs to be played out, and all four players are very talented, but I would rather have Potulny/Irmen. I just double-checked and the Goph's are slated to have them for the next three years. Kidding aside, while all four players will IMO be productive I think the chances of Murray/Stafford leaving early is greater then Potulny/Irmen.

AMEN. But then again it's a long offseason with not much to rant about...

I was responding to the charge that the Gophers "will be better off without" Vanek. Ill take Lucia's opinion of him over SFSIOUX#1. I would agree that the Sioux will be better off without Vanek on the Gophers. Back to topic, best wishes to Grant. He scored many huge playoff goals in college and I hope he scores them in the NHL too.

The Don wants him to stay, Ill take his opinion over yours.

Hey, what's with the Gopher shot. Remember, even in a down and disappointing year both the Gophers and the Sioux won more NCAA Tourney games then in the prestigious history of Husky hockey. Drop the Puck! My $.02. Coach Blais is a legend. It's not a question of firing but a question of when he decides to leave.

Ditto except the remember part.

Go Dogs!

Watched Rosen's Sports Sunday where they interviewed the 5 Gopher seniors. They looked numb and disappointed but showed class in congratulating the Dogs and complimenting them for their play. I agree that Minny was not a hungry team this year on a consistent basis and it was their undoing. After the successes of the last two years I can understand the human tendency to grow complacent. Perhaps todays loss will re-kindle that fire in the underclassmen. Regardless, when the Don was hired I hoped that he would restore the program to where it once was and could be. Under his leadership this Senior class hung 4 banners, two that really count. Considering where they started from that's quite an accomplishment.

With ya there brother!