Series Record
THE ALL-TIME SERIES: UND trails the all-time series 125-131-14 (.489) but is 67-53-8 (.555) all-time against the Gophers on home ice. The UND Fighting Sioux are 6-0 all time against the Gophers in Grand Forks, ND and the last time the Sioux and Gophers met in the playoffs in Grand Forks, ND was in 1986-87, when the Sioux took the WCHA series with a pair of 5-3 wins. During Coach David Hakstol tenure as head coach the Sioux have a 12-7-3 against the Gophers.
Surging Sioux
The UND Fighting Sioux have went on another Dave Hakstol text book second half surge; the Sioux have currently won 7 straight hockey games and are 7-1-0 in February and March. Ironically the second half surge commenced when Brett Hextall returned from a lower leg injury in February 12th against the SCSU Huskies.
Below is a year-by-year comparison of UND's pre and post-Christmas records:
Year Before After
2004-05 13-7-2 (.636) 12-8-3 (.587)Frozen Four
2005-06 12-7-1 (.625) 17-9-0 (.654)Frozen Four
2006-07 7-10-1 (.417) 17-4-4 (.760)Frozen Four
2007-08 8-6-1 (.567) 20-5-3 (.768)Frozen Four
2008-09 9-8-1 (.528) 15-7-3 (.660)NCAA playoffs
2009-10 9-6-3 (.583) 11-5-2 (.667)?
In Hakstol we trust
Under head coach Dave Hakstol the Fighting Sioux have gone 25-12 in the playoffs (WCHA and NCAA), that is eight more wins than any other WCHA team. That includes a 16-7 record in the WCHA playoffs, a victory total that also tops every WCHA team.
The Sioux are 16-3 (.842) in the playoffs at the new Ralph Engelstad Arena, including a 14-3 record in the WCHA playoffs and a pair of wins in the 2006 NCAA West Regional. [Fighting Sioux]
What does this mean?
I was thinking about this up coming series last night, honestly, I really don’t know what to think and I don't have any prediction. Seriously, I am not into making grandiose predictions nor do I have delusions of grandeur either. This weekend really is a crap shoot, the Sioux for the most part are already in the NCAA tourney. There is lots to play for, the team that wants it the most will be rewarded.
The 2009-2010 season for the Fighting Sioux has had many ups and downs, the injury to Chay Genoway in November, getting swept by the Denver Pioneers at home back in January were both major downers. I like many Sioux fans were ready to stick a fork in the Fighting Sioux after that series.
Since the sweep at the hand of the Denver Pioneers the Fighting Sioux have gone an impressive 7-1-0 run, during that time period they Sioux have beaten the SCSU Huskies, C.C. Tigers and the UMD Bulldogs and finally the hapless MTU Huskies. Before that brutal schedule all of those teams were ahead of the Fighting Sioux in the standings but the MTU Huskies. The Sioux over took two of those teams and finished on single point behind the SCSU Huskies.
Win with class
Most Sioux fans that I know including myself hate the “Golden Rodents”, they are our heated and hated rival, nothing brings a smile to my face more than a win against the Golden Rodents, except maybe a finely struck golf shot or shooting a double during duck hunting season. Gopher fans drive us nuts and say some of the stupidest things, you will hear comments like 25 year old Canadians, UND is a bunch of goons or Manitoba’s Pride on Ice. Unfortunately, my brother in law was one of them (former Golden Gopher Hockey player) and a lot of my family members are fans of the hated Gophers as well, It’s the old saying you can chose your friends but you can chose your family members. But I digress and none the less, let’s keep some perspective and let’s also remember it’s only a hockey game. We don’t need anymore ugly incidents before, during or after the hockey games. Don't be that fan.
Let’s remember to keep our heads about ourselves and don’t get into senseless or needless fist fights. Let’s think twice before we get into confrontations with opposition fans, again hockey is only a game folks. I learned along time ago that alcohol makes people braver and there is always someone tougher than you. No one needs to get killed over a hockey game, no one needs to get arrested and no one needs to throw knuckles. Be the better person and walk away. If you find your self getting into a situation remove yourself from it. Also, show some respect for your neighbors at the game. Please don’t ruin our experience at the game because you decided to be an ass. Let’s Go Sioux lets end the Gophers season this weekend.
Links to the Story:
Ryan Cardinal's break down of the series on Gopher Puck Live.
MHKY Notes: Sioux, Gophers battle in opening round of playoffs
Friday Hockey Game to Air on FSN Alternate Channel [Gopher sports]
Cross Posted at the Sin Bin.
I can't wait to see Lucia end his career in Grand Forks with a loss. I hope he cries and then someone dumps a beer on him and laughs in his face.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why we're so salivating over Lucia losing his job.
ReplyDeleteLook at Minnesota's talent. Look about how those same players performed before they got to Minnesota. I DOUBT they played like this where they came from before UMN.
Something tells me Lucia doesn't coach the D. Guentzel did and he did an ok job. Then he left and it went to crap. I think Lucia's main failing is who he chose as assistants. Hill is clearly not working out and Grant Potulny is green.
I wouldn't fire Lucia if I were Maturi... I would fire the assistants (unless Lucia is the one who has to fire him. In that case, I'd say fire the assistants or you'll be fired and I'll fire them in your stead).
As for the post, I agree with the "Win with Class" sentiment. Play smart. Play physical but not emotional. Let the cheap stuff come from Minnesota (if they try). Expect dumb stuff to happen (Cepis WILL dive and the officials WILL fall for it).
Why would you want to dump beer on another person over a hockey game, let alone the coach of the team that "your team" just beat? First off it's alcohol abuse, second it's something only a complete hoser would do, and third you would be taking a great bragging right for "your team's" fans and putting a s**t stain on it.
ReplyDeleteI’m no fan of coach Lucia, but that's no reason to act like a moron. If UND does win that will be enough embarrassment and the reverse is true as well.
I was referring to Tony. I actually have a lot of respect for tDon. I think he is a good coach and as long he is there Blais isn't.
ReplyDelete