Sioux get pounded by Pioneers 7-3.

The head line read DENVER: UND freshmen couldn't do it all.
I believe that is the understatement of the century, freshman players score 8 of 9 goals this weekend and only one other goal was scored by an upper classman all weekend and that was resident tough guy senior Mike Prpich. In Mike’s defense he is the only senior that makes a regular contribution on the 2005-2006 version of the UND Fighting Sioux. For the most part I was happy with about 45 minutes of this hockey game. Then the roof came down on the Fighting Sioux and then it became the massacre at the OK coral.

When it is all said and done I think this past weekend series will prove to be a pivotal series in defining UND’s playoff hopes, which don’t look to bad at the moment as they sit in 12th place in the PWR rakings tied with Boston College who is falling like a prom queen’s dress after the prom. The fighting Sioux need a split and got it, they need to win the next two games against MTU and hope the BADgers get at least two points from the pesky SCSU Huskies who are doing it with mirrors being lead by basically only a top notch goaltender Bobby Goeperft. This may prove to be a huge order for the BADgers who seem to be flailing away right now with no hope of turning it around at all, that Badgers are returning to playoff form just in time for the playoffs, who wouldn’t want to play them right now. It appears that once hot goaltender Brian Elliot can stop a beach ball now.

Back to the pivotal series part: The Sioux in the second half of the season have split with each of the teams ahead of them except Wisconsin (who they didn’t play) on the road with. Minnesota, C.C. and now Denver. They say split on the road and sweep at home.
The Fighting Sioux are now 11-5-1 on the road, which is pretty darn good compared to their less than impressive home record of 9-8-0.

Elliot's Hobey Baker Campaign? Kessels Revenge?

Found the following picture on Satnu's blog. http://goldennation.blogspot.com/ Very interesting picture. Actually its supposed to be a Brian Elliot's hobey campaign which is going up in smoke just like the BADgers Mcnaughten Cup hopes. I would actually post the link to his page on my blog but I haven't been able to figure out how to do it. The picture is kind of funny and ironic. It should show the rest of the league chasing the BADgers down and killing their title hopes.

UND pastes DU in 6-2 win. Gwozdecky Snaps and gets tossed from the game.

Jonathan Toews, Mike Prpich and T.J. Oshie all scored first period goals and the Fighting Sioux went on to pound Denver University 6-2. Ryan Duncan, Toews and Kozek score goals in the third period as UND cruised to a big victory in the WCHA standings. Jordan Parise proved that he was the man again as he held the fort for the Fighting Sioux. The win upped his record to 16-6-1 on the season.
As a Fighting Sioux fan it was very fulfilling watching the Sioux dismantle the Denver Pioneers. The last few years DU has take it to the UND Fighting Sioux but again the tide is starting to turn back to UND favor. Last night UND said enough is a enough. Gwozdecky went to the well one too many times with Peter Manino and UND made them pay with the 6-2 thumping. I thought even better that the Peter Manino finally got some pay back/medicine for his cocky attitude during the playoffs last season. Last season he did a lot of talking in the DU cage and finally he got some it back.

Ironically through all of the thumping UND took from Denver Pioneers none of them were on DU home ice where UND is 9-1-1 in its last 11 games. Thats pretty significant, lets hope that UND can make it 10-1-1 tonight with another trashing of the Dirty Denver Pioneers. As a rabid Sioux hockey fan I think I hate the Pioneers more that I hate the Minnesota Golden Gophers or the Wisconsin BADgers. The Pioneers are by far on of the dirtiest and chippiest teams I have seen play in many years of being a college hockey fan.

The game say a interesting turn of events as DU coach George Gwozdecky was ejected with 11:02 to play, not a common occurrence in college hockey (I wonder if George coached baseball). Apparently Gwozdecky didn’t like the fact that Sioux choir boy Mike Prpich cup checked Jeff Paukovich at center ice during the face off, of course Gwozdecky snaps and starts going nuts, getting tossed from the game by Todd Anderson. The bad blood continues as later Jeff Paukovich tries to decapitate TJ Oshie and was promptly is sent to the penalty box.

This is taken from www.Siouxsports.com as Petey 23 sums up the Mike Prpich spear on Jeff Paukovich pretty well.
It didn't seem to effect him too much. He was able to come back on the ice and run Oshie from behind(should have been 5), then headlock him and drive him to the ice face first(Bertuzzi style) which should have got him a season ending suspension. Bad news for him, he still has more coming to him...it's called karma.

UND and DU this weekend.

UND and DU face off this weekend in a crucial weekend series in Denver. Denver has proved to be a good place for UND to play as of late. The Pioneers are just 1-8-1 against North Dakota in their last 10 games in Denver. The losing team has been held to two goals or less in the last 15 games between the teams.

Most Sioux fans are anxiously awaiting this weekend series because many of us are wondering if there will be any lingering affects of the Jeff Paukovich’s dirty checking from behind play on popular Fighting Sioux defenseman Robbie Bina during last season’s semifinal game at the Final Five in St. Paul Minnesota. WCHA referee Don Adam blew the ensuing call giving Paukovich only a two-minute penalty, a horrible response to one of the dirtiest plays I have ever witnessed in college hockey. In fact as I said on siouxsports.com The Punkovich hit on Bina last season was one of the cheapest, dirtiest hits I have ever seen period, I was right across from it and it was bad.

Many Sioux fans including myself were furious over the non-call by referee Don Adam. Rightfully so, Paukovich was later given an additional game suspension by the WCHA, making up for Adam’s horrible interpretation of the checking from behind rule. In addition to the WCHA suspension Denver Coach George Gwozdecky later suspended Paukovich an additional game during the NCAA playoffs.

While I hold Paukovich (referred to as Punkovich by many Fighting Sioux fans) I am not so sure the Fighting Sioux hockey team will be looking for retribution this weekend, there are more pressing concerns mainly securing home ice for the WCHA playoffs as well as moving up the power rankings so they can play in the NCAA West Regional they are hosting.

While I would love to see this issue settled on the ice with Paukovich dropping the gloves and getting his ass handed to him, finally seeing Paukovich repaid for his horrible act against Robbie Bina, I would rather see UND playing in the post season. While these things in hockey usually seem to work them selves out eventually. My advice to the Fighting Sioux player’s this weekend is pick the time at your choosing, do it without hurting the team and your final goal, no selfish knuckleheaded penalties. If the opportunity presents itself by all means take your shot make it count. My last word of advice is; take action the first game and not at the end of the final game on Saturday night, UND needs all their players for the final series in the REA against the MTU Huskies.

Lastly, I do think Paukovich will chose to do his talking in the media instead of on the ice like he did when he was here in Grand Forks, he will not take his medicine he will turtle and hid behind the referees.

Jordan Parise is the man.

No one should be confused who the UND Fighting Sioux’s starting goalie is. Junior goalie Jordan Parise is putting the finishing touches on another very nice season. If it weren’t for Jordan this season the UND Fighting Sioux could very well been stuck in the bottom of the WCHA standing just like MTU and UMD. Lets take a look at the numbers further.



No one should be confused who the UND Fighting Sioux’s starting goalie is. Junior goalie Jordan Parise is putting the finishing touches on another very nice season. If it weren’t for Jordan this season the UND Fighting Sioux could very well been stuck in the bottom of the WCHA standing just like MTU and UMD. Lets take a look at the numbers further.

Here is the look at the numbers on the two UND goalies

Jordan Parise: for the season he has played in 22 games posting a 15-6-1 record with a .931 save percentage and a GAA of 2.17. For his career Jordan has posted gaudy numbers. He has played in 71 games has .921 save percentage and GAA of 2.12 and a record of 46-17-7

Philippe Lamoureux: has played in13 games this season posting a 5-7 record has a .910 saver percentage and 2.62 GAA. On his career Phil has played in 31 games has a .913 save percentage a GAA of 2.37 and a 12-15-2 career record.

Breaking down the numbers further: When Jordan Parise gets to the playoffs he turns up the intensity another notch. I am convinced that Jordan Parise was one of the main reasons the Fighting Sioux went all the way to the Frozen Four last season. I also feel he is one of the reason UND is where it is today as far as the standings go. Last season after a loss on February 26th Jordan Parise lead the Sioux to a 9-2-1 record (Phil had one of the loses in the Final Five against Denver). In the East Regional game against the BU terriers Jordan Parise stopped 29 of 29 shots as BU was up ended Worchester by the Fighting Sioux 4-0.

The next night: Jordan Parise back stopped the Fighting Sioux to a regional championship against the B.C. Eagles out performing over rated Eagles goalie Corey Schnieder 6-3. Rant on: I know I would take Parise over Schnieder any day. I think he is hands down the most over rated USA goalie in the NCAA well except for Al Montoya. After two dismal WJC tourney appearances I am ready for a change in net for team USA. Off my soapbox.

Lastly during the 2005 Frozen Four Jordan Parise back stopped the Fighting Sioux to a impressive 4-2 score over the high flying University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. The was same exact score that UND beat Minnesota by in the third place game of the Final Five. Frankly, I don’t care what Donny Lucia says about that game, according to Lucia the game didn’t matter and UMN bagged the game and didn’t care about winning. I am telling you it mattered to the players and Jordan just flat outplayed over rated University of Minnesota Golden Gophers goalie Kellen Briggs. I am in an on going debate with many Gopher fans how good or not good Kellen Briggs is. Frankly you couldn’t convince me that he is that good. If there is a weak link on Minnesota WCHA McNaughten Cup team its their young defense and the sieve that have in between the pipes. Kellen Briggs has a .906 career save percentage and a GAA of 2.48, definitely Jordan caliber and has been known to fold in important games.

UMD gets Dogged by the Sioux.

After a well deserved two weeks off The Fighting Sioux righted the ship at a home as they crushed the hapless UMD Bull Dogs 5-1 to take the two game series 2-0 and the season series 4-0. In the series the Fighting Sioux outscored UMD 9-1. The Fighting Sioux are 11-1 in their last 12 games against UMD. The Sioux lit up UMD goalie Isaac Reichmuth for 5 goals a night after the Fighting Sioux victimized former UND and Red River goalie Nate Ziggleman for 4 goals, two of the goals were very weak.

On the other end of the ice Jordan Parise stopped 50-51 shots this weekend solidifying himself as the go to guy going into the playoffs. In my opinion Jordan should be the defensive player of the weekend, however, I am sure the political WCHA will some how end up giving it to some hack like Kellen Briggs. Because we all know a University of Minnesota victory is much more significant than a UND victory. Also, hobby Baker Memorial trophies are more important than NCAA titles.

Saturday night ended up being another night where the freshman came up big, again as two newcomers scored three points each on the night: Jonathan Toews had a two goals and an assist also, Ryan Duncan who had a goal and two assists. In looking at the numbers UND fans can only be excited, as the Sioux’s future looks very bright. Jonathan Toews was amazing last night scoring two goals of the high light variety most of his thirteen goals this season have been of the high light variety. There are so many great young first year players putting up big numbers for the Fighting Sioux this season. With their three point nights Duncan and Toews both have 21 points on the 2005-2006 season.

Freshman Scoring


## Player POS YR | GP G A PTS PEN/MIN
7 T.J. Oshie (STL) F FR | 32 17 15 32 10/ 31
9 Jonathan Toews F FR | 30 13 8 21 7/ 14
16 Ryan Duncan F FR | 34 9 12 21 12/ 24
22 Brian Lee (OTT) D FR | 32 2 13 15 18/ 36
4 Taylor Chorney (EDM) D FR | 32 2 9 11 16/ 40
10 Andrew Kozek (ATL) F FR | 34 4 6 10 7/ 14
20 Matt Watkins (DAL) F FR | 34 3 1 4 12/ 43
6 Zach Jones D FR | 34 0 4 4 25/ 69
2 Joe Finley (WSH) D FR | 31 0 3 3 24/ 67

121 Points on the Year.

UND and the Bull Dawgs. Lets slap some Dog ass.

No offense to my Labrador Retriever, however, now is the time for the UND Fighting Sioux to slap some Bull Dawg ass this weekend. Period, there is no sugar coating it, time to do or die. Must win game for UND. The room for error is so small. If UND has any aspirations of making their NCAA regional and hosting a first round WCHA playoff series they need to win hockey games.

Also if the Fighting Sioux wants avoid traveling down to the Concrete Center and playing the SCSU Huskies they need to win and hope that SCSU loses and loses often. Maybe the last weekend UND fans will even have to become Wisconsin fans (YUCK that makes my skin crawl to say that). Reason being, UND does not match up well with the Huskies and their top goalie, for what ever reason the Sioux have sucked against the SCSU Huskies, however, this is for another discussion we may revisit later on if the Sioux faulter and SCSU keeps winning. In other words The Fighting Sioux needs to stop talking about what they have to do and just sweep these remaining homes games against second divsion teams: UMD and MTU (this is possible because both teams suck very bad, their horrible, UND also holds a 4-0 record against them). Add to the equation the Sioux also need to split with the DU Pioneers next weekend in Denver. This is might be a tall order because DU has come on strong as of late but UND has proven to be a good team on the road going 10-4-1 while they are 7-8 at home (unacceptable).

Goon’s Game Plan:

The Sioux must start Jordan Parise from now on out. Sure Phil is a good goalie but he isn’t on the same level as Jordy. Unless Jordy fail and falls on his head: enough with the playing of Phil he has proven he can’t win a big games when the Sioux need them, Phil also has let in some weak goals this season, especially against SCSU. Lets go with the horse that brought us here. The kid can play is probably one of the top five Goalies in UND history. Well top 10. On a side note Jordy is making history: With 44 career victories, North Dakota goaltender Jordan Parise is two behind Darren Jensen for sixth place on the UND all-time list.

The Fighitng Sioux must crash the UMD net. Get in the Bull Dog player’s face, make it tough to play against us, turn Finley and Smaby lose. Play nasty pound them in the corners, smack them at the blue line.

Clear out the front of the net and let Jordy see the puck. If someone is standing in your crease deck them hard. Time to get nasty. Get some dirty goals. They count just as much as pretty goals.

Western College Hockey: College Hockey Roundtable Discussion #1

Western College Hockey: College Hockey Roundtable Discussion #1


As the end of the year comes to a close in the WCHA: Its Wisconsin, Denver and Minnesota are neck and neck for the top spot in the WCHA something has got to give. Gophers or BADgers probably will finish in first or second. If the Gophers finish first that is fine me, let them have the the Cup. Doug Woog mentioned on FSN a few weeks ago that the Gophers might be peaking too fast, we can only hope. In my opinion I believe the Wisconsin BADgers have peaked already and are starting their late season swoon.

As UND fans know winning the Mcnaughten Cup has been known in the past to be a anchor and the team that wins the cup puts a lot of energy into winning the league. As far as the final top 6: positions 3,4,5,6 in the WCHA are officially up for grabs. I say how these teams finish could be anyone's guess after that, its just too close to call. I think UND and DU will emerge as the better teams in the end when it counts the most. But hey I am biased too.

Bagdad Cindy. The face of the left?

I can't stand this woman and she is about as stupid as they come. Moveon.org has tried to make her the new face of the Democratic National Convention. Nah, they changed their mind they are running away from this whack job faster than they are running away from Looney man Howard Dean. Baghdad Cindy kind of reminds me of Hanoi Jane Fonda This piece posted below really sums it up well. I found this on a web page. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1466889/posts

Vietnam had Hanoi Jane, Iraq has Baghdad Cindy! At least Hanoi Jane. didn't have a son who gave his life for his country and she bashed as the murder of thousands of innocent Iraqi's like Baghdad Cindy is doing when she accuses our soldiers of this in her insane statements. The peril in which our brave and honorable troops have been placed because of the stupidity coming out of this woman's mouth is just as treasonous as it was when Hanoi Jane placed our POW's lives at higher risk by her actions during Vietnam. I strongly suggest that signs start going up in counter protests in Crawford and across the Nation labeling her "BAGHDAD CINDY" which would be a just and true label for her. I have read the emails sent to you after your Crawford appearance and I am shocked and appalled. Not only are they degrading themselves by using this type of language in their uneducated and falsely informed points of view, but they are degrading our troops who are serving in Iraq. These soldiers are serving in order to help develop and protect the freedoms in Iraq that we are so privileged to enjoy in America. How can they overlook all of the hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi men, women, and children who were murdered in cold blood by Hussein and his government and still say that Americans are the murderers? In Baghdad Cindy and her follower’s cases, the old saying " better to be thought stupid than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt" seems to fit quite well.

Check this out: http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1123992232.shtml

Response to my Letter to the SCSU Sports Editor.

Last week I wrote an email to Kevin Allenspack a sports writer from the St. Cloud Times about an article that he had written on UND. I thought the article he wrote was one sided and off the mark. Kevin was nice enough to write me back here was his letter.

Goon:

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. My response time is generally a lot quicker than one week, however I was out of the office for a few days and the rest has been busy getting stories done in advance of this weekend's series with Anchorage.

I appreciate your feedback on last week's preview story. I'll be the first to admit that the disparity in penalty minutes before last weekend's series with North Dakota had pretty much zero impact on the 2-1 SCSU wins. That's a risk you take in choosing a topic for a preview. I could easily have written about UND's offense (at the time, best in WCHA games) and that also would've proved way off base.

I'm glad you still thought it was more impartial than the FSN telecasts. That would've been too much if you didn't. Believe it or not, I consider myself very impartial in my coverage. I could care less whether SCSU wins or loses. I'm just after what makes the best story and serves the readers the most.

You have a good point that I did not see the Mankato infractions. However, I have been covering the WCHA for nearly a decade. And if you think anyone around the league is going to say another team is tougher to play against, from a standpoint of getting hit hard, beat on and intimidated than North Dakota, you're wrong. I've also seen Dean Blais send guys over the boards to take revenge for what he thought was a bad hit. I saw Brian Canady spear Jon Cullen in the groin toward the end of an SCSU victory. Dave Hakstol doesn't shirk the image of a tough team because it serves the Sioux. They are intimidating to play against.

As for the Sioux nickname controversy, I'm only glad I don't have to chronicle that soap opera. The Times won't let me use the word "Fighting," which I disagree with. I don't have a problem with the nickname, but I'm not a Native American, either. The one thing I can say is that I don't see the controversy ever going away unless the name changes. At some point, no matter how much school pride I felt, I'd get tired of fighting that same old battle. And you are correct, though, that SCSU should stay out of it and let the matter rest between UND and the NCAA.

I don't know if you regularly read the Times or just did so because the Huskies were UND's opponent. I appreciate your feedback and am always willing to hear more. You're also welcome to write a letter to the editor (To Sports Mailbag at: sports@stcloudtimes.com).

Hope to hear from you again,

Kevin Allenspach
St. Cloud Times

Goon's Challenge to the Sioux hockey team.

1.) Just win: if not for anyone else do it for self-pride. Some one please step up and show some leadership.

2.) Time to stop reading your press clippings and play some hockey. The opposition is not impressed that 11 of you have been drafted by NHL teams. As fans we were impressed at the beginning of the season, however, a lot of you haven't lived up to the hype and frankly I feel cheated.

3.) Show some pride and win in your own building. The old REA was tough for the opposition to play in The new REA is too hospitable to the opposition. Opposing teams should fear this building and they are not. Your record is 9-3-1 on the road time to win 4 more games against C.C. and DU. Have some faith. Believe in yourself. Go to war for the guy next to you.

4.) Check out the banners hanging in the rafters of the REA this program is one of the most storied programs in college hockey. Losing is not an option if you want to play on a team that doesn’t care about winning go to UAA, UMD, MSU-Mankato, or MTU. Wear your Fighting Sioux uniform with pride, wearing it is a privilege not a right there are no free rides. If your confused and you need a lesson on pride talk to coach Cary Eades. The man oozes Grit, Determination and Sioux Pride.

5.) Winning is the only thing that matters.

Sioux Hockey team running out of time. Likely will miss playoffs this season.

In crunching the numbers for the UND Fighting Sioux hockey team chances of making their own regional are looking really bleak. The Sioux are on life support and the medics are pulling out the paddles to see if they can get their heart beating again. It’s almost time for the Doctor to make the call on the Fighting Sioux hockey team. The Doctor says, “There is nothing we can do for the Sioux their dead.”

I can hardly wait to watch the games and have to listen to a bunch of pompous Gopher fans/rubes lecture us on how bad UND sucks. I also can’t wait to hear a bunch of classless hockey fans from Minneapolis and points east tell us, “wow its sure fun to go to a game in Marriucci West.” I am sick of hearing it. I suppose I could sell our tickets at an over inflated price and watch the games in the comforts of our own home, devoid of Gopher Fans. Or maybe I will go, suck it up and watch the regional, it would be fun and I have never been to one before.

The Fighting Sioux chances of going any further than the first round of the WCHA playoffs seems far fetched and a pipe dream. In running the numbers on Fighting Sioux Sports.com I figured that UND almost has to go 6-1-1 or 7-1 to get a slim chance to host a first round series in the REA. That draw would probably be a team like SCSU. Their chances of making to St. Paul seem even slimmer.

There is no sugar coating this, the Fighting Sioux ruined their chances last weekend by being swept by a second rate SCSU Huskies. When you play with little effort or heart your going to get beat. On paper this series seemed to say sweep for UND. I mean really who would have thought, SCSU has no first round draft choices and basically are lead by a very good goalie. One could say that the cupboard is bare and there really isn’t anything there as far as star power goes, to boot their top players was out with a leg injury.

Last weekend UND laid an egg, again. The UND fighting Sioux have laid many eggs this winter. Here is a break down of the eggs laid this season: (1) Losing 1-0 to a week Harvard team. This was the Fighting Sioux first lost to a EZAC team in 20+ years-unacceptable. (2) Losing against a weak and crappy UAA team that happens to be a last place team in the WCHA-unacceptable. (3) Getting Swept by a second rate team SCSU-unacceptable. This past weekend the Fighting Sioux hockey sucked, period end of excuses, there are none for poor play. This past weekend the Fighting Sioux hockey team showed little heart and no grit. They played like a woman’s hockey team. For this bad effort they are now probably going to suffer for it in the post season by sitting home while other teams are playing in the regional in their building. I beg the leadership on this hockey team to stand up and make a stand, hold your fellow team mates accountable. Please take some ownership for the way this team has played. We can’t blame the coaches on this one.

Huskies beat Sioux in boring game.

The Fighting Sioux lost a boring uneventful game to SCUS (JBSU) last night at the REA dropping UND home record to 7-7 at home. I have one word for last night loss- UNACCEPTABLE in my opinion. Losing to a second rate team like SCSU is not an option late in the season when your in the playoff hunt for a top 5 finish in the WCHA standings. Hakstal needs to take control of his team and start sending messages to players that put up second rate efforts. Have them sit in the stands or on the bench next to the coaches.

Drew Stafford is a million dollar talent that fails to show up in big games. Missing three (3)goalmouth shots with a wide-open net waiting for him. All three shots went wide of the goal. Rastislav Spirko has no points in three games. Time for Sparky to grow a pair and skate through the hooking and holdings.

Fighting Sioux Goalie Phil Lamoureux is has proved to be untrustworthy goaltender giving up a weak goals at the end of the game being a goalie that the team can’t count on. Jordan Parise needs to play the rest of the way with Phil sitting on the bench.

If I have to watch another effort like last night to night I am going to scream. Let go Sioux, stop F#(king around and play hockey. Your more talented than most teams in the NCAA, start acting like it.

UND plays SCSU; Angels against the Bully Boys.

Check out the crap that St Cloud Times Kevin Allenspach writer wrote about the Fighting Sioux hockey team in his weekly article. This is article in my opinion a hatchet job, a tabloid fish wrapper article. If this doesn’t get Sioux fans and the player blood boiling you have to be dead. This clown just called your team a bunch of goons. The UND Fighting Sioux are a tough team not a bunch of goons and thugs. I hope UND goes out and kicked SCSU ass tonight (on the score board). I wouldn't want UND proving me wrong.

Despite a dozen rookies, North Dakota has lived up to its long reputation as a rough-and-tumble bunch. The Sioux have been sentenced to more penalty minutes than any team in college hockey this season, and lead the WCHA with an average of more than 28 PIM per game.

The Huskies, by comparison, are downright angels on skates. They've never exceeded 29, and average approximately 14. Their self-restraint will be tested this weekend at Engelstad Arena, where they know it will be paramount to maintaining a hot streak that has St. Cloud State surprisingly in sixth place. "It's just a normal game against North Dakota if there's a lot of stuff going on," said Huskies junior Justin Fletcher, who has a team-best six-game point streak. "You know they're going to take some penalties. Your power play has to be on top of its game and you can't lose your composure. You have to be ready to play them 5-on-5 or 4-on-4."

Head Coach Bob Motzko is no better: I have lost what little respect I had for this clown with his quote on UND. Sounds like he has drank the Don Lucia Kool Aid also. Same old tired crap UND is a bunch of hacks and goons. I just miss hearing we have a bunch of 25 year old Canadians.

"We talk about it — I tell (the players) every week that we can't take foolish, selfish penalties," said Motzko, 12-9-3 overall in his first season as head coach. "North Dakota, they're notorious for roughing it up. If you see a fight in our league, chances are they're involved. It's a source of pride for them. They try to get nasty and get in your face. That's the way they like to play, aggressive. We've got to be ready for that."

I hope UND goes out and takes it to the SCSU= Jan Brady State University. A program dedicated to playing mediocre hockey.

Jan Brady State University is up next after UND sweeps Dirty Mavericks

Last weekend the Fighting Sioux swept a very important hard fought two games series at the Ralph Engelstad Arena against the dirty Mavericks of Mankato State University. UND now sits in 4th place of the WCHA with a 10-8 record one point ahead of the Colorado College Tigers who are idle this weekend. Next weekend the Fighting travel to Colorado Springs to play the Tigers next weekend who were swept on the road by the youthful Golden Gophers last weekend at Marriucci Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

After this weekend's series I am convinced that Mankato is by far the dirtiest team UND has seen all season, to take a phrase from my book I would call them a goon squad. They continuously run their mouths and spend more time cross-checking, haching and cheap shooting their opponents up and down the ice than they do playing hockey. This style of play is also reflected by their Coach “head goon” Troy Jutting who is the king of smug thugs as he sits on the players bench coaching his gang of merry thugs on to their next egregious act.

Mankato brings to the ice a repatriate of dirty tactics and bush league moves. It was none more obvious from the start of the two game series that Mankato couldn’t keep up with the much more skilled and fleet footed Fighting Sioux. From the Start Mankato was dirty skating up and down the ice taking their runs at UND highly skilled players. Friday Night they almost started a brawl at the end of game by running one of UND skilled players.

Saturday night with UND up 3-1 in game two with 8:59 left in the game Mankato State University goon Joel Hanson jumped Spirko from behind staring a melee involving three players from each team. As a result of the scrum two fighting disqualifications were originally called on Kyle Radke and Ratislav Spirko. Ratislav Spirko has the Fighting Sioux record for most games without ever having a penalty called on him and to this point only has had two penalties his whole career initially received his first fighting major for his career. After Greg Sheppard reviewed the game tapes it was later ruled that Big Joe Finely was the guilty culprit instead. Radke and Finely will sit out Friday’s game against SCSU.

Hakstal was pleased with the Fighting Sioux’s effort after the game.
But, after the game, Hakstol didn't seem as upset with the fighting on the ice. Rather, he was more pleased with the hockey his team played. Guys are sticking together, and sticking up for each other," Hakstol said. "What the repercussions are, we have a week to regroup and get ready to deal with that. As a team, we want to make good decisions and smart decisions. But the bottom line is that it's a team game and you stick together as a team."


Now up next is SCSU aka Jan Brady State University also known as Sterns County Community College. The college hockey team known for its late season swoons, I believe the swoon starts this weekend at the Ralph. If UND plays it game and takes the puck to the net it should be another home sweep for the Fighting Sioux

Its Fighting Sioux not Sue.

College hockey fans around the globe like to make fun of the Fighting Sioux nick name by calling them Sue. One of my buddies (A BSU alumni, a power house in division one hockey, I am rolling my eyes) sent me above questionable picture. Most rabid Sioux fans have heard it many times before, so it is nothing new, however, I didn’t know that Dora the explorer was our new moniker, I hope we aren’t stepping on their copy right.

These uninformed rubes also like to think its funny to ref to the Fighting Sioux as Sue because of the connotation that women are weak or of the lesser sex. My opinion is let them have their fun and make fun of us. Maybe we should do a run down of the numbers in case any of the cretins are confused. They may want to take a trip up to REA and take a look at the banners hanging in the Rafters of the beautiful REA, I believe one look into the rafters says it all: 7 NCAA titles, 13 WCHA titles, over 300+ current and former professional hockey players. That’s pretty impressive in my opinion. Who cares if the rubes from Minnesota want to make fun of us? In case they are having problems with math, 7 > 5.

UND guts out win against Hated WCHA Rival the Golden Gophers.

Saturday night the Sioux took a much needed win and critical two point from the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Sioux killed off a 5 minute major for checking from behind and never let the Gophers retake the lead after killing the critical mistake by junior forward Erik Fabian. Fabian was kicked out of the game in the second period when he took a run at Gopher forward Danny Irmen.

UND snapped Minnesota's seven (7) game winning streak by scoring a timely 3rd period by super sophomore Travis Zajac with one minute and twenty two seconds left in the third period. The win was good news for the Fighting Sioux who rebounded nicely from a miserable showing on Friday night to split the important WCHA series. The Fighting Sioux played the weekend series without the services of Junior goalie Jordan Parise who stayed home after suffering a concussion a week earlier in practice.

Pathetic effort, Gophers spank Sioux.

After watching last night's game I feel cheated, the effort displayed from the UND hockey team not worth a trip out of the house or down the highway to see, explained in one word pathetic. Thank God I didn’t travel to Minneapolis to see this. With Gas $2.29 a gallon this is worth going across town to see. What a horrible effort on the ice. Most of us could put more heart into the game than this team.

I watched the game with a Gopher fan at BWW and whomever’s team was behind at the end of the period had to buy the beer, in two games watching with him I have yet to have a round of beer bought for me. I not here to complain about buying a few beers, that’s not the point.

I am sick and tired of watching UND play uninspired hockey with no heart or emotion. I am tired of watching goal tending efforts go by the way side. Phil was shelled last night and he stopped 42 of 48 shot for a .913 save percentage. That is a lot of shots taken towards the Sioux net. Now I know how the duck and pheasnts fell opening weekend. Maybe the Sioux goaltenders should sue for lack of support. Where was the defense? I suppose some of them are still reading their press releases and WJC articles that were written about them. Actually like the Canadian fans I was booing them too last night.

Does anyone on the Fighting Sioux Hockey team understand the pride they should be displaying by being fortunate enough to wear that jersey. Wearing the UND jersey is a privilege not a right.Maybe Reg Morelli needs to give them a pep talk. Has someone shown these rookies the banners and the pictures or talked about the history? The three coach behind the bench know what it takes. This type of hockey/play is unacceptable at UND. This isn’t UAA, Mankato, Merrimack or MTU for that matter. I am sick and tired of people saying their young give them some time; these are talented players laying eggs in important games.

Scott Foyt should never touch the ice again this season. I am not sure why this kid is even wearing a UND uniform, talk about being out of his league. What a horrible play. The Gopher play is was obviously facing the boards, don’t touch him tie him up and get a whistle. People would say you never played hockey, but ok I will give you that. Checking from behind is the equivalent of hitting a QB while he is lying on the field. Its not needed. Now I am not talking about the questionable checking from behind calls that UND has had called against them. This was a blatant and a legitimate call and shouldn’t happen. It cost UND the game in my opinion. UND finally gets a shorthanded goal about 30 minutes into the game and then Minnesota races up the ice twice and its 4-1 game over.

Thanks for playing UND, you looked horrible again. Oh by the way Gopher fans quit calling me to tell me what you think about the game. I don't care. 7>5.

Lets get it on. Sioux and Gophers.

The Golden Gophers and Your UND Fighting Sioux begin a two game set tonight. I predict a split and so does Wooger (I suppose Gopher fans are hoping Woog doesn’t jinx the home team this time around, last time Woog predicted a Sioux sweep and we ended up getting swept), Split is a good call as UND and U of MN have split all the games in Mpls since Donny Lucia took control of the Gophers. I would however love to see the Sioux go into the John and sweep the prim Donnas from UMTC. Nothing would please me more than this, except a triple hunting ducks or a hole in one on a par four at Kings walk. I expect the Gophers to underestimate the Sioux and lay an egg tonight, I do however, expect the Dirty Gophers to come back tomorrow night and win. I am hoping (I have my fingers crossed) that Parise can play and I expect at the last moment that when it counts Jordy will be ready to go, he will dig down deep and find the strength to play this weekend.

I was quoted this week on KFAN's Rube Chat: Big shock right? (I slightly edited it for content mistakes).

We might want to look at this series through green and white sunglasses, because I think UofMN is prime for the picking and UND only needs to split and hope for a few bounces and get a sweep. Personally I think the later is possible. I have one word for you Gophers fans Briggs, in my opinion I feel Briggs is not worthy of sniffing Parise’s jock/cup. When the games counted last season, Jordan shined brighter than Briggs.

Natalie Gulbis, the Face of the LPGA? She is one heck of a golfer too.

Some one said that I didn't include golf on my blog, I guess it might have been an over site. Well here you have it. Check out Natalie's offical web page at http://www.nataliegulbis.com/10.html I forgot to mention she is one of the most attractive golfers on the LPGA tour (ok she is by far the hotest golfer on the LPGA, come on guys its true, she is some serious eye candy), but that being said she can play and is a legitimate golfer. Natalie has a 2006 calender that is now for sale. When she is not posing for pictures she either golfing or on the practice range with Butch Harmen.