All I want for Christmas!!!

Letter To Santa Christmas Tree

Dear Santa,
I am sending you my Christmas wish list for the 2006-2007 Fighting Sioux hockey season.

1.)Solid Goaltending each and every night, any save percentage above .900% would be appreciated, all we are asking for is just a few more saves per game and one less goal per game being scored against our team.
2.)Solid defense is a must; we want a defensive core that limits the opposition to fewer than 25 shots per game, and defensemen that pounds the living daylights out of the opposition in when they decided to skate in front of our goal.
3.)Consistent Goal scoring each and every weekend from all four lines.
4.)A couple of 20 goals scores, two will be fine but more would be appreciated.
5.)A top five finish in the WCHA standing and a home WCHA playoff series.
6.)Penalty Killing percentage of 85%, 77% is not getting it done.
7.)A berth in the Final Five in March.
8.)A berth in the NCAA playoffs.
9.)If possible a NCAA Frozen Four Berth.
10.)National Championship number 8

In conclusion Sioux fans aren’t asking for too much we just want a winning team and a successful season, please grant us our Christmas wishes, we aren’t asking for too much just joy and happiness in the new year. GO FIGHTING SIOUX.
P.S. Please put lumps of Coal in the Gophers stockings.

Respectfully,

The Goon

Check Out These Saves.

These are some Awesome Saves

Sioux Hit Rock Bottom.

Losing Skid hits 3 Games
A listless Fighting Sioux hockey team lost 3-1 to the upstart and improved Michigan Huskies, in WCHA action. The loss was the Fighting Sioux’s sixth loss in the past seven games and hence, the third loss in row for the Fighting Sioux. If one had to use one single word to describe the Fighting Sioux effort the past three games it would be: UNACCEPTABLE. This is not Fighting Sioux hockey. Fighting Sioux hockey is about effort and out working opponents, it's about winning battles and pushing people around. Fighting Sioux hockey is about winning ugly and scoring dirty goals. The MTU Huskies out worked the Fighting Sioux for 50 of 60 minutes, and it showed on the scoreboard in the end. The Sioux put on a valiant effort in the final 1.32 of the game; finally getting a single goal past Nolan. One must ask where was that at in the second period when you were MIA.

Big Problems in Goal
Also, Fighting Sioux junior goalie Phil Lamoureux continues his slide towards goaltending mediocre, losing for the third game in a row. Since Phil Lamoureux has regained his starting duties the Fighting Sioux have taken (2) TWO league points. Please? Can someone please tell me why he is still the starting goaltender? At this point in the season I don’t’ think Grieco could do any worse than Phil, at least rotate the two goalies until someone estasblishes as the go to guy. Phil isn't lighting the world on fire. I am almost ready to start the call for Walski, could he do any worse, I guess he could. In fact you can put me in the anybody but Phil camp. Give me Grieco or Walski. If your not going to play Grieco what did you bring him here for? If anything you rushed him into the league dominated by upper classmen. I also can't believe this was the best recruit that the Fighting Sioux could get, are you kidding me? In case you haven't taken a look in rafters lately this isn't Canisus College, this is the University of North Datkota the FSU of college hockey, one of the bench mark programs in division one hockey. We should have young talented goalies lined up to play for our school.

I am tired of hearing the same thing week after week, year after year: Phil is a good goalie that hasn’t gotten any offensive support, Phil hasn’t been given a fair shake (when Jordan Parise was here), the offense isn’t scoring for him, its obvious Phil isn’t cutting the mustard, the goals he let in were the defenses fault. Two of the three goals scored last night could have been stopped by a bantam “A” goalie; in fact I know one the Fighting Sioux should consider picking up. Seth are you ready to go in yet?

If the Sioux coaching staff is smart they should start combing western Canada for a shut down, stud goalie and I suggest sooner rather than later. Lets hope that the Coaching staff will not accept losing and the status quo, it's not about hurting people's feelings it's about winning hockey games. Fighting Sioux hockey is not entitlement hockey, and Sioux hockey team needs goaltending help bad.

The was for the most part last nights game was a hard game to watch, when MTU scored the third goal, I thought the stands were going to clear out for good as the fair-weather Sioux fans headed for the exits, some of which won’t be back tonight. That isn’t a bad thing. I was there to the brutal end and booing at Fighting Sioux’s effort. Something are going to have to change or the season will be lost.

Mid Term Stats Report: A Breaking Down the Numbers

The Fighting Sioux by the Numbers Nationally.

The Fighting Sioux are ranked 4th nationally on the power play scoring on 23% of their power plays.

The Fighting Sioux are ranked 54th out of 59 teams nationally in penalty killing at 77.3% (that has to improve to at least 85 percent).

The Fighting Sioux are ranked 37th nationally in penalty minutes taken at 17.3 minutes a game by the Fighting Sioux.

The Fighting Sioux are ranked 37th nationally in goals scoring that works out to 3.19 goals per game.

The Fighting Sioux are ranked 24th nationally in goals scored against with 3.19 per game.

In winning percentage by Sioux goaltenders.
Fighting Sioux goalie Philippe Lamoureux is ranked 51st nationally out of 78 goalies in winning percentage with a .400 percent winning percentage.

Fighting Sioux goalie goalie Tony Grieco is ranked 25th nationally out of 78 goalies with a .583 winning percentage.

Something to Cheer You Up.

Better Days Ahead
Looking at this tape should make Sioux fans feel a lot better, one could say that we have seen better times up here in Title Town (Grand Forks, ND), I know the season is far from over. Good times lie ahead for the Fighting Sioux Hockey team. My father sent me an email this past week that said son, "it's only a game" My response to him was "Bull Feathers". Fans of other programs can say its only a game. Winning at UND is a way of life.

Check out Big Mike Prpich's fight during the hall of fame game, it was also Jordy first game as a fighting Sioux. I hope we can see more Andrew Kozek's pattened wrist shot for a goal, aned finally the boys lifting the throphy in St. Paul at the final five, yep I was there. Haven't missed a final five in 8 years.

Hey Sioux Fans Remember this Kid? Sparky Where Have You Gone?

Sparky Makes Briggs Look Sick
When I first heard that Spirko was leaving the team I thought oh well if he doesn't want to be here, fine, so be it. After watching this years fighting Sioux hockey team struggle through the first 16 games it's apparently our offense is like a toothless tiger, UND needs an offensive spark. How big would this kid be in the Fighting Sioux line up right now? I am sure he would have tallied a few goals and made other goalies, not just Kellen Briggs look sick. Enjoy the Video and Sparky we hardly knew you.

Classic Don Cherry.

Think Don Likes the Refs
Don Cherry is a sports icon in my opinion, the former Boston Bruins coach has a show every Saturday night on CBC, his rants are classic. Although I am not a Canadian I appreciate his points on life. Don is a patriot and calls the game of hockey as he sees it. I really like the part where he breaks down the Drake hit as opposed to the the Ovechkin hit.

Andrew Alberts Big Hit
Former Boston College Eagle Alberts talks about the officating and how it's inconsistant from night to night. In this clip former fighting Sioux player Zach Parise gets into a scrum in front of the net with a bunch of Boston Bruins defenders.

Listen To Rick Generett the Voice of the Sabres.

This guys is awesome
I think he is one of the best announcers in all of hockey. My favorite one is when a Sabre scores a goale top shelf, Rick say, "up in the top self where momma keeps the cookies". Enjoy the clips its classic stuff from a future hall a fame announcer. Or at least in Goon's world. Listening to Rick sure beats listening to Frank Mazzocco.


Here is some more classic Rick Generett. Unforunately they are playing the Hurricanes in this clip again, no I am not picking on the Canes but it seems that Carolina has had trouble with Buffalo this season. Buffalo was really skating well and the announcer was really getting into the game. This guy makes watching hockey games fun. The best one is Paul Gaustad his third goal in the last three games the Goose is really honking.

I Think This Sums it up Pretty Well.

This was a Post on Sioux Sports.Com

Fans of this program go into every season expecting to win every game, and ending up in the Frozen Four. We expect to bring in top-flight talent, and have them perform every game, for a full 60 minutes. It's the way it is, and it's the type of thing that sets better programs apart from the rest. We do not settle for mediocrity, sorry-ass excuses or losing seasons. Leave that to other programs. Most fans of this team are very hockey savvy, and alot of the comments made here and at REA, while they may make you cry, are made with the expectation that we should win every f'ing game played, especially in our own barn. Even if this team had no losses, and was winning by 6 point margins every night, we would still critique the team, the coaches, the ice, the refs, the crowd, etc. Moreover, few things irritate me more than certain posters engaging in the mental masturbation of accusing other fans of being "fair weather" or "bandwagon jumpers" when they express their frustration with this team, engage in debates about certain players or otherwise coach from the couch.

It would be an understatement if I said there had been some negativity this past week over on SiouxSports.com. Because there has. However, most of the criticism pointed in the direction of the Fighting Sioux hockey team is justified. What is happening on the ice is not Fighting Sioux hockey. What happening on the ice maybe be acceptable at other schools but this is NOT ACCEPTABLE AT UNVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA. But I digress; sugar coating this past weekend effort makes it worse. I read where were one fans said lets look at the positive. Yep your right lets look at how Robbie Bina scored a beautiful big goal during a crucial time in the game only to have that effort pissed away by stupid penalties and poor goaltending.

Fair Weather Fans

As a fan I can’t accept what I have seen on the ice so far, this is not Fighting Sioux hockey. On the flip side of that criticizing the Fighting Sioux hockey team does not make you a fair weather fan either, people that are suggesting this are dead wrong. In fact they are being moronic. Most of us hard-core fans (like myself and my buddies) will be sitting in the stands long after the fair weather fans have gotten off their hands and vacated the arena or simply have left the REA bars in the arena after the second period. That is fine with me, let the fair weather fans leave and make some room for the people that actually want to watch the game.

Are You A Fair Weather Fan?

When I say fair weather fans, you know the ones. These are the fans that are chatting on their cell phones will we are trying to watch the game, these are the fans that are standing in the bar when we game is going on. These are the ones leaving the game with 12 minutes to go in the third period. Who needs them? Let them give up there tickets to people that actually want to see a hockey game in the best arena in college hockey.

It Takes 60 Minutes to Win A hockey Game

Last weekend the Fighting Sioux hockey team failed to play 60 minutes of hockey each game and was incidentally swept by the Wisconsin Badgers in a crucial WCHA series. The Fighting Sioux took knuckle headed penalties at the wrong time and got horrible goaltending from Phil Lamoureux. Someone on the coaching staff needs to face facts and sit Phil down hand him the clipboard and tell him this is where he is going to be sitting until he is needed again. Being bench has happened to Sioux goaltenders with better numbers than the ones Phil is sporting right now, can we say Toby and Jake. Hell I would take Jake back right now. He played a lot better than this. The Fighting Sioux coaching staff need to realize it time to do an extensive search for a goaltender that can play, someone like Jordan Parise they can build the team around. Possibly someone has to split time with Grieco next season and establish himself as the starting goalie of the future.

Phil Is No Jordan Parise

If you look at the Goaltending issues of the Fighting Sioux, there are a lot of problems that need to be addressed. It is very apparent that the Fighting Sioux miss super star and all world goalie Jordan Parise, and coach Brad Berry. The kid was an awesome goalie who only got better as the season wore on. Phil is nowhere near the goalie Jordy was. Last season I heard grumbling last season on how some of the fans has said that Phil had not been given a fair shake and that Parise didn’t deserve the starting position. Wow, were those fans way off the mark.

There have been discussions on how Grieco play hasn’t been very good. There has been a lot of discussion on how the young goalie leaves huge rebounds and gives up soft goals (and he has), and that Phil was the much better goaltender of the two. I am going to cut Grieco some slack because he is freshman and will probably get better; I have seen some amazing moves out of this kid, he has, however let in some really weak goals at crucial times. Ala the game in Anchorage comes to mind. On the flip side; Phil is supposed to be the starting goaltender of the Nationally Ranked Fighting Sioux. The time has come for Phil to drive the team to national prominence. The only thing Lammy has done is backstop a team to the bottom of the standings and out of the national rankings. Now UND is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs sitting on the wrong side of the PWR/RPI rankings with a losing record. Not acceptable. Letting in 4 or more goals in 8 games this season. UND has given up four goals or more for three out of the last four games. Winning only one game.

Neither goaltender’s efforts have earned them another start but someone has to play, I guess we could play Walski but I don’t see him playing any better than the other two since he is the practice goalie. In Grieco’s defense he is a freshman and has played just as well or better than Phil in my opinion. Lets break down the numbers: Grieco has actually got 7out of a possible 12 points, while Phil has got 2 out of a possible 12 points, that is not good even using Gopher math. Phil is supposed to be the starting goaltender and he hasn’t proven he deserves to have that title. If I had to rate the Sioux’s effort this past weekend I would rank it a 5/10. There were glimpses of greatness followed by piss poor efforts, mental breakdowns kill us every game. These mistakes must end or we will be sitting in the bottom of the standings watching the Gophers skate away with another WCHA title.

Linkorama: A Trip Around the Hockey Blogs.

Links
I have not posted an article on how the Sioux being spanked by the upstart Wisconsin Badgers Saturday night, but I probably will. I just don't feel like typing a bunch of negative stuff, on how the goaltending sucks and how our team plays undisciplined and takes bad penalties at key times during the game. I guess I could discuss how Oshie and Toews are getting hooked and held up and down the ice while the officials stand there watching the play oblivious as if nothing just happened. Pretty sure the WJC officials aren’t going to be this bad.

I don't need an anxiety attack over something none of us can control. I trust the UND administration they will not let the UND hockey program slide into oblivion. Also I believe that Hakstol will get it together and a least get the team to play competitive by the end of the season. I have to admit that I have added to the negativity, but I must ask some of the fans that are saying there is too much negativity on Sioux Sports, my first question is have you watched the team play this year, honestly, I am not talking about watching from the bar in the REA. Have you seen how bad the goaltending and defense sucked this past weekend.

Maybe the Vikings will put me in a good mood. Then I see that Brad Johnson is starting. I can feel my Blood pressure going up already. Oh My God, the Vikings actually scored a touch down. Wow as I edit this they are up 20-0, oops make that 20-7 I hope that doesn’t mean we are going to have to put up with Brad Johnson for another week?

RWD is feeling a little down after seeing her dogs get swept this weekend. Hang in there RWD we know what its like. Our series of futility is coming soon to the DECC.

RWD
Lets Go DU reports a Brawl between the UAA Seawolves and C.C. Tigers, during this past weekend's series. Sounds like some old time hockey in Collorado Springs this past weekend.
Lets Go DU

The Wisconsin Hockey Blog accuses UND of being a good hockey team. Yikes, now ylur have really jinked us. Also, the Wisconsin hockey blog breaks down Saturday's game. Yep that is 2 sweeps in a row by the Badgers over the Sioux in the REA. Maybe their fans will want to call it Kohl center west like the cocky Gopher fans. Doubt it, Wisconsin fans actually have class.

Wisconsin Hockey

Certainly, North Dakota is young and has its share of problems, especially in net. And they were decimated by early defections in the offseason. But North Dakota is still a very, very good team, with great speed and extremely talented, so to go into their building and pick up a sweep and also win 3 of 4 on the year is a great accomplishment for a Badger team that needs some momentum. In fact, the Badgers have now won 4 straight games at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

UAA's Fan Blog
UAA fan blog discusses the horrible state of officiating in the "WCHA". No say it isn't so. No, that can't be. Looks like Sioux fans aren't the only ones that seem to believe that the officals in this league suck. A ref making a bad call at a cruical time in the game. Carefull or the Gopher fans will start calling UAA fans Halo's too.

A split with a good team has some satisfaction but (and I bet you knew there'd be a but) it's greatly tempered by the interference call on UAA with a little over 90 seconds left in the game. Whatever. Some dipshit referee decides he'd like to have an impact instead of letting the players decide the game on the ice. Nothing you can do about it. We've seen across the league an increase in the tendency of linesmen to make calls. It was part of the points of emphasis that linesman would be required to make certain calls. I obviously didn't see the game but will stipulate that the "Too Many Men" call is one of those that linesman should be calling. Sure ... even in OT. But less than 20 seconds after killing that; referee "Mozart" Hunt hits the Seawolves with an "interference" penalty (when players are contesting the puck on a face off)? It wasn't the first "interference" penalty like that Hunt called on the night (at 16:36 of the 3rd period Billy Sweat of CC was called for "interference" on an almost identical situation during a faceoff). UAA scored on that power play to tie the game. But like I said ... whatever. It's not the first time in the WCHA that a ref has interjected himself like a clown in an opera and it won't be the last.

ECAC has Worse Officating that the "W"

This is an interesting article I found on Kevin Allenspach's blog. Apparently the ECAC has worse officating than the WCHA. Interesting. From
Colgate speaks out on ReffingKevin Allenspach's Blog

The SCSU mens' hockey team beat Colgate 3-1 on Friday night, but the Raiders had some interesting things to say afterward.
Coach Don Vaughan on the fact that his team had just two power-play chances after having 180 in 17 games in the eastern time zone: "I thought it was absolutely great. It's the most 5-on-5 hockey we've played this year. It was refreshing. There's a lot less flow to the game (in the ECACHL) with all the special teams stuff. We've had 180. (SCSU) has had, what, 70? You can take it from there."

Not a Good Effort as Badgers Win 4-3.

Not a Strong Night
Last night game was not fun to watch. It would be an understatement to say that last night’s effort was not acceptable; in fact there was no effort from the home team, the team played with no fire and no emotion. Tim Hennesy touched on it during his post game show. Frankly, this is not the kind of results we expect from a benchmark program or from a Fighting Sioux hockey team. Sure they are young but everyone’s team is young in the WCHA this year. There should be no sugar coating last night’s game, it was horrible effort and a tough game to watch, as the Fighting Sioux team gave up another lead in the second period in yet another game as the Wisconsin Badgers scored three goals in the middle frame.

Breaking the game down:
The offense was ok in the game getting three goals against an all American goalie. In most cases three goals against Brian Elliot should be enough to win most games against the Badgers. The defense played ok but gave up an odd man rush that led to a goal during an important time in the game. The goaltending grade for last night would be C- or D+. Frankly the team let the fans down again last night. No one is playing with passion and fire and if they don’t find some chemistry soon we will sitting in the bottom half of the league standings. The improvement starts with the leadership and the team.

Found this Fighting Sioux Fight Tape. Rory's Fight

Mcmahon and Vanelli
Does this clip bring back some memories or what, I can't remember the last time we saw a fight at the REA. Mcmahon and Vanelli going toe to toe a couple of years back in the Ralph. The Sioux got shelled in the game but McMahon got the best of Vanelli.McMahon and Vanelli Fight

Badgers and Sioux Set to Face Off

Badgers and Sioux Part II



This weekend the Wisconsin Badgers travel to Ralph Engelstad Arena to play the 10th ranked Fighting Sioux in a pivotal WCHA series. To say this weekend series is important is an understatement. The Fighting Sioux must get points if they want to stay in the WCHA race. The Fighting Sioux also need wins to stay off the bubble in RPI/PWR rankings. Right now the Sioux sit in about 13th place and risk the change of staying home for the NCAA playoffs if they don’t start winning games.

As I stated earlier on USCHO: right the Fighting Sioux are not getting good play from their goaltending, there is no sugar coating it our special teams and goaltending suck, one could say that there is no where to go but up. On the penalty kill the Fighting Sioux are really having a down year as far as rankings on the penalty kill go, traditionally a strong point for Fighting Sioux hockey teams. Right now the Fighting Sioux are killing about 77.6% of the penalties they have taken that’s good for a 9th place ranking in the WCHA and a national ranking of 52nd over all in the NCAA rankings (there are only 58 teams in Division I hockey). In comparison WCHA teams like the C.C. Tigers are killing 88 percent of their penalties, while the Minnesota Golden Gophers are sitting at 87 percent. While the Sioux are killing 77.6 percent of their penalties which I stated is not very good. There is room for optimism, UND is ranked 7th in the nation on the power play so the Sioux can and will make the opposition pay for their mistakes.

The reason I am saying that the goaltending and defense have not been good this year is the Sioux have a poor goals against average, the Fighting Sioux have given up 4 or more goals 7 times in 15 games (if you count the game against the under 18 team). If that problem remains true to form this weekend the Fighting Sioux are going to be in trouble because the defensive minded Wisconsin Badgers do not give up 4 goals in a game very often, the chances of the Wisconsin Badgers giving up 5 or more goals in a game this weekend aren't very good at all. It’s paramount that UND stays out of the penalty box. The speedier Sioux are also going to have to get to Elliot early because the Badgers are not a run and gun team, and they don’t play that well when they are behind in a game. The Badgers also won't give up many offensive opportunities. The Badgers will plug up the neutral zone and fore check hard, the front of the Wisconsin net will be well guarded, almost like a fortress.

Check out Todd Milewski’s Article on this Weekend’s Series
Captial Times sports writer Todd Milewski seems to think the Badgers are more cut out for games played on NHL sized rinks. Todd Milewski Milewski also says that the Badgers are healthy for this series. Should be a good tilt.

Bruins Star Phil Kessel

Phil Kessel First NHL Goal

Check out Phil's first professional goal as a Boston Bruins.
Kessel Not Playing In WJC
Team USA will announce its IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship roster tonight, however Phil Kessel's name will not be on the list.

Sources tell TSN the Boston Bruins have informed USA Hockey that Kessel will not be released for the upcoming Championship.

Friday Night Fights, the Brawl that Wasn't.

Gophers and Mav's Friday night

After watching the Gophers and the Mavericks game on Saturday and then seeing a tape of the incident in question, I don't believe that Wheeler intentionally tried to hurt Tormey the defenseman from MSU-M Brian Killberg definitely checks Wheeler into Tormey, I am not sure that Wheeler had a chance to stop because of momentum. Come one we can hate the Gophers but to accuse them of this type of action might not make too much sense. From my perspective and having watched the tape a half dozen times I don’t’ see it, and I don’t thing that Wheeler would try to intentionally injure Tormey. I don’t believe from watching Wheeler for two years (I have seen most of his game on TV) that Blake is that type of hockey player (I can’t see tDon approving of these type of bush league tactics), also Wheeler hasn’t earned the rep of being that guy, its not like he is a thug a like another player that comes to mind.

Refs Have Another Strong Night
Not to hack on the refs in this game but I do think the refs blew a couple of calls here. Joe Kalisinki and Derek Peltier should have been given third man in penalties and a game misconduct or disqualification, I am not sure which one you give for third man in, since college hockey doesn’t have a lot of fighting. It’s also funny how tough Derek Peltier acts really tough as he jumps into the pile on top Browlee, that toughness lasts until the time Brownlee calls him on it and challenges Peltier to a fight, of course Derek turtles. Hey guys if your not going to fight, don’t challenge a guy to a fight and then stand there and yap at the guy, that is also bush league.

Check out This NHL Fight Tape.

The Best of Octobers NHL Fights

Some really good fights, check out Derrick "the Boggey Man" Boogaard's fight about 1:35 into the clip. See Phil Kessel get rocked by a check. The Boogard fight, now that is an awesome fight, you can see the players rapping their sticks on the ice in appreciation. Ah,who says fighting has no place in hockey, these people are dead wrong. The fans love to see a good scrap, last night during the Minnesota and Mankato games the two scrums/scraps brought the Marriuci fans to their feet. If anyone tells you other wise they are full of it.

North Dakota Department of Transportation to Put up New Signs.

ND Hockey Sign
The New Signs Are Up
Check out the new signs that are up in North Dakota, coming to a border town near you. Entering ND from Minnesota you will see the following signs. If you don't like the signs stay out. The gift that keeps giving and giving.

The Shot Heard Round the College Hockey World

How We Got Ben Blood.

Sioux get verbal from Shattucks Saint Marry Star.
In case you haven't seen it here is a Link I found from the UMD's penatly box. I was really impressed with the lengths UND goes to recruit players. We just don't take them out to center ice and ask them to sign like some has suggested.

Why am I impressed, UND signed a big time star in defenseman Ben Blood, he is 6’3” and you might say he is one of the big pieces to an NCAA title, I would call him a deal maker, the icing on the cake. I just hope we get to see him play more than two years and hopefully he becomes a part of a NCAA championship. This signing also proves how great recruiters Dave Hakstol and his staff really are. While some in the blogosphere were questioning his in coming class for next season. Some of us knew that the 2007-2008 class was a work in progress. This message speaks volumes of the type of hockey program UND has up in Grand Forks, ND. I always hear Goofer fans sneer about how UND is a bunch of Hacks and its a second rate program and who we are referred to as the Sue. This pretty much debunks all of those claims. Its an explanation of what happens when a recruit comes to UND.

Enjoy:
Penatly Box

Here is the story on Blood. Not to pour salt on the wound, but at least the first part about what they do... Say this for North Dakota: It doesn't rest on its laurels.

Yes it has, arguably, the most stunning building in all of college hockey. Yes it has a tremendous winning tradition, and yes, it sends many top talents to the NHL. But ask 17 year-old Shattuck St. Mary's senior defenseman Ben Blood, and he'll tell you the Fighting Sioux just don't open their doors and expect young recruits to simply say yes.

"When I took my official visit last weekend, my family and I were just blown away over how prepared they were," explains Blood, a native of Plymouth, Minnesota. "They really put effort into it. Not that the other schools I was considering didn't, but when I was there (in Grand Forks), they had an itinerary all mapped out for me.

I had a pre-game meal with the players, watched video, and met with the assistant coaches several times. They really kept the focus on me," adds Blood. "Then I had breakfast with all the coaches, (including head coach Dave Hakstol), and that's when they made me an offer." Offer made, offer accepted. Blood will join the Fighting Sioux next September, or no later than the fall after that. "They sold me, and that's why I'm going there," says Blood, who shoots left, and stands at 6-2 and 212 pounds.

"But even more than that, the guys are just tremendous there. They all have great character, and you see all the players that came before me, (Zach) Parise, (Drew) Stafford and alike. I knew I wanted to be a part of it, and perhaps one day become one of their players who make it to the NHL." Though highly ranked on many scouting lists--he's an A prospect per NHL Central Scouting, and 128th overall by Red Line Report-- Blood says he's keeping his focus on self improvement, and moreover, the team.

"Team is what we're taught more than anything else at Shattuck, and most of that goes to coach (Tom) Ward," says Blood. "Being here has helped me mature, become more of a man, and taught me the importance of being a team player." Blood is in his third season at Shattuck. Two years ago, a broken left leg limited him to about 30 games in his first season. "That was one of the hardest times of my life," Blood admits, "I couldn't do anything for almost four months, but I was determined to come back as best as I could." He has. An offensive minded and physical type, Blood has seven goals, 14 points and 70 PIMs in 21 games thus far this year.

"I think I'm a physical player, a decent skater with a better than average shot," says Blood in self-assessment, "what I really need to work on is my foot speed." While at summer hockey camp, Blood worked almost three hours a day on shooting. That type of effort, be it in season or off-season, is evenly matched by what he's done in school. A 3.4 GPA student, Blood's learned that success in the classroom usually translates into success on the ice.

"Coach Ward always says he can tell which guys are struggling academically by how they play and how they practice," Blood explains. "If things aren't going well off the ice, that can easily reflect on what happens once you get to the rink." What parent wouldn't be proud of that! "It isn't cheap, but sending him to Shattuck was the best thing we could have done," beams Mike Blood, Ben's father. "It's been an excellent experience for him, and for us. Shattuck's challenged him academically, he's made great friendships, and the hockey atmosphere is second to none." Aside from Ben, the middle child, Mike and Carol Blood also have two daughters, one of whom, Erin, is a junior blue liner at Boston College. Last Saturday, Erin scored the game-winning goal in a 5-4 holiday tournament victory over Wayne State. "I've always been proud and looked up to her," says brother Ben. "When she committed to Boston College, I thought, that's just what I want to do, play college hockey."

Blood also considered schools like Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud. As for North Dakota, if he doesn't join the Sioux next fall, he'll likely play a year in Des Moines, which holds his USHL rights. "Everyone's told me not to worry about it and just focus on the team," says Blood. "If it's next year, fine, but if not, that's ok too. All I have to do is keep working hard, and things I'm sure will work out."

Sioux Split Weekend Series with C.C. Tigers

Sioux Split with C.C.
While I wasn’t able to see Friday’s game against the C.C. Tigers which the Sioux lost 4-3 giving up a lead in the third period (I was hunting Pheasants in South Dakota) I did manage to see Saturday’s impressive win against the C.C. Tigers on tape Sunday night. I can say I was very impressed with the Fighting Sioux's effort in Saturday’s game, it was a gritty win. In breaking down the game I thought the first period of Saturday’s game was a defining moment in the Fighting Sioux’s young season; the Sioux got balanced scoring and rock solid defense, a winning combination. Saturday's first period was one of the best in the 2006-2007 season, the Figthing Sioux must build on that effort.

The Tigers scored first but then the speedy Sioux turned the game around jumped all over the Tigers by buzzing the opposition net and keeping the shots off of junior goaltender Philippe Lamoureux. Saturday's tilt was also the best defensive effort of the season, as the Sioux defense limited the Tigers offense to only 17 shots on net. They also only gave up two goals one late in the third period when the game had been decided.

In net Phil looked decent (not great) in playing for the second time in 6+ weeks after missing 6 starts with an undiscolsed leg injury, but it is something to build on. Saturday's effort is something to build on in the march towards the NCAA tourney. To have a decent chance to win the Sioux defense needs to limit the oppostion’s shots to around 20 per game and the offense needs get 30+ on net. The Sioux cycled the puck and got the puck out of the defensive zone all night limiting odd man rushes and shot in close.

Another key to being successfull is for the Sioux also to stay out of the penatly box and avoid taking knuckle headed penalties at key times. The Sioux did that on Saturday night from what I saw they kept the Tigers off of the score sheet on the power play. On the flip side of that the Sioux gave up two power play goals in the third period of Friday’s game, unacceptable if they want to have a successfull season. On the year the Sioux have been killing penatlies at about a 76% clip that must get better if they are going to make some noise in the second half of the season. Teams with good power plays are going to captialized on powerplay opportunities if they don’t limit the amount of penalties taken.

Lammy’s Time to Shine?
If Fighting Sioux goalie Phil Lamoureux is going to be the go to guy in the Sioux net, the Grieco experience was met with mixed results, Phil is going to have to take the bull by the horns, he must play beter in the net, he has to make big saves at critical times. So one could say that there is no time like the present to get hot. The Fighting Sioux must get good goaltending from all our goaltenders, right now the results have been mixed but the season is still young.

Crucial Time in the Season
The next four WCHA games are at home as the Sioux play the goal challenged Wisconsin Badgers and the upstart MTU Huskies, the Fighting Sioux must get points, losing is not acceptable, the Sioux must dig down and find a way to gut out wins. The Sioux probably need to get 6 out of 8 points to stay in the WCHA race and off of the RPI/PWR bubble, they currently sit at about 14th place and would probably be sitting at home if the playoffs started today. It starts with timely goaltending, staying out of the penalty box and playing solid defensively, the scoring will take care of itself.