Canuck Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Funny how two wins and 14 goals and change the outlook of the fans, but back on February 9th the chicken littles of the world were proclaiming everything from "Hakstol will never be anything more than a .500 coach" to "our seniors have no character." Here's what I posted that day: "I would prefer Sioux fans reserve judgment on this team until we have our full lineup intact for a lengthy stretch of time. With Murray and McMahon back in the lineup, suddenly other (role) players aren't so miscast. Suddenly your top six forwards (top two lines) include Stafford, Murray, Spirko, Genoway, Porter and Zajac. That's as much talent as any Top Six in the nation. You have excellent shut-down forwards like McMahon and Prpich. And you have experienced role players like Fylling and Massen. Suddenly that lineup doesn't look to shabby, does it?..." Now, does the UMD series mean we'll now run the table on the way to an 8th title? No. But it does show how tough it can be to analyze a team's season with any amount of perspective while said season is still in progress. One month ago we were stuck in neutral - not a bad team, but not a great one. Now I don't think there are too many teams that would want to play us at this particular point. To quote PCM who quotes Jason Notermann, Hockey is a funny game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
U2Bad1 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 na na na na boo boo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airmail Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Good points... but if you can convince me that the team in February had the same fire in their eyes as the team last weekend, I'll eat my hat. They had plenty of heart last weekend, that's for sure. But I don't think anyone can argue that leadership roles and "heart" were all but absent a month or two ago. For me... my glass was half empty, now it's half full. It's good to be a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Right on, Canuck. I have been happy to put to rest the discussion of Hakstol's job, at least for the time being. The coaches and the players have said over the last several weeks they have been playing better, and the results have begun to show on the scoreboard. The big weekend probably helps gloss over the insecurity about ties at SCSU and losses at AA (the night after a big win), however. So for that reason maybe my own optimism is somewhat misplaced. But no matter how bad Duluth may have played this weekend, our team deserves an awful lot of credit for playing SO well. The players deserve the credit and the coaches do to. But I think us fans on the message boards deserve the lion's share for pointing out the weaknesses and prescribing the proper fixes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 But I think us fans on the message boards deserve the lion's share for pointing out the weaknesses and prescribing the proper fixes! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Finally someone gets it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottM Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 But I think us fans on the message boards deserve the lion's share for pointing out the weaknesses and prescribing the proper fixes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCM Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Finally someone gets it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 Right on, Canuck. I have been happy to put to rest the discussion of Hakstol's job, at least for the time being. While I realize it was only two games, hopefully that series will forever quell the "We shoulda hired Sandelin instead" posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 While I realize it was only two games, hopefully that series will forever quell the "We shoulda hired Sandelin instead" posts. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I will never stop the "We should have hired Scotty Bowman instead" posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Barn Guy Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Don't forget, when Doug Woog made his pre-playoffs predictions, he picked the Bulldogs and made the comment that he felt they had the best talent in the entire WCHA. He was expecting them to "break out" against the Sioux. I guess he's about as good of a prognosticator as he was an NCAA Championship coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Don't forget, when Doug Woog made his pre-playoffs predictions, he picked the Bulldogs and made the comment that he felt they had the best talent in the entire WCHA. He was expecting them to "break out" against the Sioux. I guess he's about as good of a prognosticator as he was an NCAA Championship coach. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Maybe he could only pick winners from Minnesota? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Barn Guy Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I would also like to list a post I made a while back, not to gloat or say "I told you so!" I just hope that we can sit back and enjoy what is to come in the F5 and if things don't work out the way we would like, just remember that this has be a season of learning and growth for the Sioux coaching staff and players. Good things seem to be in the future for this hockey program. Here is the post: After watching a lot of the Sioux hockey games this year, the glaring lack of "finishers" is always evident. For those fans who are continually bemoaning the lack of offense, I'm afraid it's not going to get much better this season. You must remember that this team lost it's two top offensive producers (Zach and Bo), plus Lundbohm. Now they are also playing without a very skilled and speedy Brady Murray. This weekend also sees the Sioux without a fairly strong two-way player (McMahon). The Sioux don't have depth in the goal-scoring department. They really don't have a lot of offensive firepower (finishers at the D-1 college level). The past month, they look like they are working hard, trying their best. Maybe we just have to "cut them all some slack." Get used to it. They aren't going to fill the net, even when they do create some excellent opportunities. Now, can they win and go on into the playoffs? Yes, I think they can. Don't expect it to be easy or pretty, but they could pull off a "2004 Denver" and surprise the heck out of a lot of hockey "experts." To do this, they WILL need some luck. Heaven knows that we haven't used up much of it so far in the regular season. Keep the faith. As long as the guys are working hard and playing together, you can't really expect some of the "role player" guys to magically turn into consistent big time goal scorers. It just isn't going to happen at the level at which they play. But some just may get the opportunity to produce and get the job done when it is needed the most. And to Hak........hang in there fella. First years are never easy and you have been challanged by many difficult circumstances beyond your control. You have a good staff to help you and you will do just fine. You are just "paying your dues" as a first year coach of a program that is always expected to win (not considering that most of the offense producers are no longer in the line up or even the program). You guys will find more recruits that will come in a bring the needed skills/traits to the team. I have faith in you guys and the program, and a lot of other hockey people do too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprig Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 There are quite a few 2004 Denver wannabe teams around this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagies Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I think Blais said something about the affect seniors can have on a team/season a few years go (2001-02?) when he bemoaned the fact that he had some seniors who knew they weren't going to win a championship that year, and weren't going to play pro hockey, and how they have a tendancy to lack intensity in that situation. While one could go back 2 weeks and say that UMD and UND were in similar situations (both struggling offensively, both with post season tourney aspirations on the bubble at best) the team who had a better post season opportunity creamed the other team when rubber hit the road (net). Sandelin may be a great coach but it looks like many of his leaders quit on him. We've often been critical of our seniors this year, but who are we going to be critical of over the last month or so? Gotta give the seniors credit. And gotta give the coaches credit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 It is frustrating when sudo-reporters just bag it when they don't think they are writing for a championship team. Back on topic, I think it is still early for these posts. If UND loses against the Badgers and their first playoff game, will anything have changed? I would expect that criticism of DH and the seniors will resume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 Back on topic, I think it is still early for these posts. If UND loses against the Badgers and their first playoff game, will anything have changed? I would expect that criticism of DH and the seniors will resume. Precisely my point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Precisely my point. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sorry, I have to get my ideas from somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackheart Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 There are quite a few 2004 Denver wannabe teams around this year. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sioux can't be a "Denver 2004" clone...they actually made the F5.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCM Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 It is frustrating when sudo-reporters just bag it when they don't think they are writing for a championship team.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'll have you know that sudo reporters can "bag it" any time they want for no particular reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Yeah! What's with that? Don't you get it? I should be a sudo....coach or something. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You are a sudo member of ss.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 There's GOTTA be a position on the totem pole (bad pun) between sudo-member and PCMÂ Â <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm not here to judge if you want to be the meat in a sudo member-PCM sandwich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedorov Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I'm deleting to protect my dignity<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Your post or your account? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwing77 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Your post or your account? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My post. Too many people dream about it being my account. I want them to dream the impossible dream Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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