Linkorama SCSU series.

Check out what SCSU Huskie beat writer Kevin Allenspach had to say about this weekend's series between the Fighting Sioux and the SCSU Huskies.

North Dakota has strung together five consecutive post-Christmas hot streaks, the last four of those coming under Dave Hakstol -- who doesn't know any other way to finish than to ramp up for the playoffs. The Sioux went 19-6-3 after the holiday in 2003-04, 12-8-3 in 2004-05, 17-9-0 in 2005-06, and 17-4-4 last season - each run ending at the Frozen Four. Since they're 15-2-1 since Christmas this season, what's the deal? I talked to Hakstol, who said he expects a "playoff-type intensity," and junior defenseman Taylor Chorney to find out.

"There's not a lot different now that we've been winning," downplayed Hakstol, whose team is 14-0-1 since its last meeting with St. Cloud State and has a chance to win at least a share of the MacNaughton Cup if first-place Colorado College drops one of its last two games against Denver this weekend. "We've had a consistent mentality all along where we've focused on the near future. The (winning) streak and a lot of that other stuff, that's all in the past. Offensively, we've been consistently in that 2-, 3-, 4-goal range all along. The real key is that we've been getting some different players to chip in at the right times."

A couple of those are likely out of action this weekend against the Huskies at Engelstad Arena. Freshman forward Evan Trupp, who has eight goals and 13 points, suffered a broken leg Saturday at Duluth. Sophomore defenseman Chay Genoway left the DECC with his arm in a sling, courtesy of a hit from behind by Michael Gergen on Sunday, and is doubtful. Genoway entered last weekend as the top WCHA defenseman in points per game.

But sophomore forward Chris VandeVelde always seems to light up SCSU (he's got 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in six career games against the Huskies). And junior forward Andrew Kozek leads the Sioux with 15 goals -- many of them (Surprise!) coming since he was put on the top line with T.J. Oshie and Ryan Duncan. And J-P Lamoureux, one of four seniors who will be honored by the Sioux on Saturday, leads the WCHA in overall goals-against average (1.68).

The more things change the more they stay the same. I was wondering when this subject was going to come up? I think this article is just a nicer way of saying; UND is a bunch of Goons, UND is the most penalized team in the league. Everytime there is an incident UND is right in the middle of it. Check it out Taylor Chorney is interviewed about UND's Style of play.

Allenspach column: Us vs. them mentality serves the Sioux well

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — You can argue how much the controversy is warranted, but there's no question the North Dakota men's hockey team has thrived — despite or because of it.

The top-ranked Sioux enter the last series of the regular season 14-0-1 — best in the nation — since their last defeat. That came 3-2 on Jan. 4 at St. Cloud State, and also was the last time they played without leading scorer T.J. Oshie, arrested the weekend before for disorderly conduct.

After his one-game suspension, the Sioux stormed back to win the rematch 6-2 and Oshie contributed a goal and an assist.

Following a home sweep against Michigan Tech, UND captain Rylan Kaip fought Minnesota State-Mankato's Trevor Bruess in a 2-1 road win Jan. 18.

After a home sweep of Alaska Anchorage, Darcy Zajac fought Minnesota's Tony Lucia during a 1-1 tie Feb. 2 at Minnesota. That night, TV cameras captured Sioux coach Dave Hakstol making an obscene gesture at referee Don Adam. Hakstol apologized but was suspended two games, so he wasn't behind the bench Feb. 16 when Kyle Radke fought Denver's Brandon Vossberg in a 4-1 win.

"It's been a learning process," said Taylor Chorney, chuckling at the recollection of fellow junior defenseman Joe Finley slashing the Wisconsin mascot during a series last November at Madison. "Maybe we did some dumb things, but some of the times I don't think it was all our fault, either. We were in situations where we had to have our teammates' backs. We've learned to walk a fine line."

The Sioux have taken more penalty minutes than their opponent once in the last eight games, indicating they're ready to play whatever style necessary this weekend against the Huskies, who rank 56th of 59 Division I teams in PIM and fourth on the power play.

"St. Cloud's a team that looks for those opportunities, so we've got to be smart," said Chorney, a second-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, who is from Hastings and played at Shattuck-St. Mary's. "We'll kill aggressive penalties — like a charge or boarding — but we don't want to take any hooking or tripping (calls)."

It's unlikely the Sioux will throw down with the playoffs next week. But they will try to, as they like to say, run the Huskies through the Zamboni doors.

"I think we've put it in the backs of teams' minds that we're going to be physical," Chorney said. "Hockey's a tough sport. We've made a couple of bad decisions, but we're at our best when we're pushing the line.

"Maybe it's easier for us because we're up here in Grand Forks and you're not going to do a whole lot but go to the rink every day and focus on hockey. There's that sort of feeling where the only thing that matters is the other guys."

Sometimes it's calmest in the eye of the storm.