DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

[du78]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Gwoz press conference today - free video

http://www.denverpioneers.com/newMediaPlayer/consolewmp.htm?id=692019&oemid=18600&SPSID=90277&CLIP_ID=682631&SPID=10877&type=vod&DB_MENU_ID=&DB_OEM_ID=18600&CLIP_FILE_ID=692019

 

[Old Pio]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

You can cloak Maricucci's strategy in red, white and blue, but I think that was more of a nice by-product - I think his strategy was much more about Maroon and Gold -- leveraging his local advantages. By taking away older players and Canadians from his competition, it would help the chances of The University of Minnesota and Minnesota's hockey ecosystem. Helping Americans was a third pillar, but not as important as the first two. And you are right that having Americans on Denver's team is a partial outgrowth of the Miracle on Ice, but I'd argue that it's more a by-product of Wayne Gretzky and the NHL coming to California and the advent of in-line skates.

Hockey may be a game for the rich in many places, including the Twin Cities, but Minnesota still has more community ice than anyplace in the USA. A regular working class kid from places like Roseau or Warroad or Cloquet can still grow up to be a great hockey player with the community's support.

Swami, you just bite your tongue. How dare you suggest that the great man was motivated by anything other than altruism? The fact that DU would have gone through the Gophers like crap through a goose (and did just about everytime the rodents couldn't duck the Pioneers) is beside the point. Even if the great man thought his American boys were competitive with DU's mean old Canadians, he would stuck to his guns. There's a principle involved here! How I wish Jimbo were around to enjoy the horse laugh on that one. The Gophers had DU right where they wanted them: off the schedule.

 

[DUPioneerHockey]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

I'm kind of looking forward to seeing Kangas & Cheverie go nose-to-nose, live and in person. You have to wonder if it will ever happen again.

 

[4four4]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Swami, you just bite your tongue. How dare you suggest that the great man was motivated by anything other than altruism? The fact that DU would have gone through the Gophers like crap through a goose (and did just about everytime the rodents couldn't duck the Pioneers) is beside the point. Even if the great man thought his American boys were competitive with DU's mean old Canadians, he would stuck to his guns. There's a principle involved here! How I wish Jimbo were around to enjoy the horse laugh on this one. The Gophers had DU right where they wanted them: off the schedule.

It took DU almost 60 years to have more than one or two students from Colorado on their roster. Sad. I completely understand why but it is still sad. IMO, if it weren't for the Avs who knows where DU and CC would be but I am happy people care now.

The fact of the matter is the game of ice hockey as it is known to people outside of Minnesota haven't spent enough time in the state of hockey to really understand the culture of the game of ice hockey. It is a religion here almost to the point of being a Canadian but with Minnesota ties. Like Swami has clearly stated the state of Minnesota is so tradition rich that every little community in the state at one time or another has taken a certain pride in the local player who made it to the WCHA and NHL. It really doesn't happen anywhere else in the country.

Go to virtually any town in Minnesota and they will eat, drink and discuss ice hockey at the dinner table. No where else in the country does that even remotely happen. This is not about anti-Canadian or pro-American it is pure and simple, promote the game of ice hockey to help more kids across the North America play this great game!

 

[MagnessMan]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

It took DU almost 60 years to have more than one or two students from Colorado on their roster. Sad. I completely understand why but it is still sad. IMO, if it weren't for the Avs who knows where DU and CC would be but I am happy people care now.

The fact of the matter is the game of ice hockey as it is known to people outside of Minnesota haven't spent enough time in the state of hockey to really understand the culture of the game of ice hockey. It is a religion here almost to the point of being a Canadian but with Minnesota ties. Like Swami has clearly stated the state of Minnesota is so tradition rich that every little community in the state at one time or another has taken a certain pride in the local player who made it to the WCHA and NHL. It really doesn't happen anywhere else in the country.

Go to virtually any town in Minnesota and they will eat, drink and discuss ice hockey at the dinner table. No where else in the country does that even remotely happen. This is not about anti-Canadian or pro-American it is pure and simple, promote the game of ice hockey to help more kids across the North America play this great game!

Yep--agree 100% with you. I think the fan base for CH in Colorado is hardly even registering and without the Avs the DU program would be in a back alley next to some kind of inflatable jumpy center for kids. Last Saturday there couldn't have been more then 100 DU fans that made the 45 minute drive to the Academy to see a great hockey game. I often feel like an Israelite wondering in the desert being a CH fan in the Mtn west. All people think of when there hear the word hockey around here is barbaric brawling. I must be on the verge of being convicted if I'm interested in attending such an event--especially if I go repeatedly. Looking forward to seeing the FF at the X next year. It will be like the pilgrimage to Mecca.

 

[Blackheart]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Any way both of these teams could lose? Gofers seem awfully optimistic going into this series...looks like a Pio sweep from here...ooh, I just threw up in my mouth a little...

 

[HoosierBBall_GopherHockey]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Any way both of these teams could lose? Gofers seem awfully optimistic going into this series...looks like a Pio sweep from here...ooh, I just threw up in my mouth a little...

Huh?

 

[GopherBigGuy911]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Huh?

Ditto..... if being overly opptimistic is hopeing and praying that the Gophers and ACTUALLY score ONE goal against DU this SEASON.... then yeah maybe we are..... I would love to just see ONE flippin goal this weekend..... I don't care if it is the most ugly and dirty goal in the history of mankind ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsstORtLHFA ) as long as it goes in and the lamp goes on and the ref calls it a goal..... then it will be a 1/2 decent weekend...... JUST ONE GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is all I ask for..... anything else is CAKE.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

It took DU almost 60 years to have more than one or two students from Colorado on their roster. Sad. I completely understand why but it is still sad. IMO, if it weren't for the Avs who knows where DU and CC would be but I am happy people care now.

The fact of the matter is the game of ice hockey as it is known to people outside of Minnesota haven't spent enough time in the state of hockey to really understand the culture of the game of ice hockey. It is a religion here almost to the point of being a Canadian but with Minnesota ties. Like Swami has clearly stated the state of Minnesota is so tradition rich that every little community in the state at one time or another has taken a certain pride in the local player who made it to the WCHA and NHL. It really doesn't happen anywhere else in the country.

Go to virtually any town in Minnesota and they will eat, drink and discuss ice hockey at the dinner table. No where else in the country does that even remotely happen. This is not about anti-Canadian or pro-American it is pure and simple, promote the game of ice hockey to help more kids across the North America play this great game!

Beautifully stated. Like an episode of the freakin' Waltons. But entirely beside the point (at least the one I was endeavoring to make). Mariucci was peeing in his pants at the prospect of having to play DU. Do you honestly believe he would have refused to play us if he thought he had a chance? Please, not to make me laugh. Yes, as you say, the "state of hockey" has many advantages and many of those advantages inure to the hockey program at the state's flagship university. Perhaps we should stop contesting these league and national titles and just award the championships in perpetuity to the Gophers, would that make you happy? Can we ever apologize enough for poaching on your territory?

 

[Bakunin]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Why exactly are you guys arguing about a 40+ year old issue? This has about as much bearing on this weekend's games as the oil embargo of the '70s.

I realize MN has very little chance of getting points in this series, but that doesn't mean we have to revive an argument about something that has nothing to do with the two programs as they exist at the present time. DU is no longer Alberta south, and MN is no longer practicing the all-MN policy. Both have moved on and schedule each other.

What's next - an argument about the role of Woodstock?

 

[Old Pio]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Why exactly are you guys arguing about a 40+ year old issue? This has about as much bearing on this weekend's games as the oil embargo of the '70s.

I realize MN has very little chance of getting points in this series, but that doesn't mean we have to revive an argument about something that has nothing to do with the two programs as they exist at the present time. DU is no longer Alberta south, and MN is no longer practicing the all-MN policy. Both have moved on and schedule each other.

What's next - an argument about the role of Woodstock?

40 years old for sure. But a myth still dear to the hearts of many Gopher fans. Sorry if a little dose of reality intrudes on the hagiography. I don't know which is worse, the arrogance or the sense of entitlement.

 

[Dmann]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Go to virtually any town in Minnesota and they will eat, drink and discuss ice hockey at the dinner table. No where else in the country does that even remotely happen. This is not about anti-Canadian or pro-American it is pure and simple, promote the game of ice hockey to help more kids across the North America play this great game!

The only place that comes close is the Boston area. Kids play street hockey instead of football. Every High School has a hockey team. There's gotta be a dozen or more college teams counting division 111 and of course there is one of the founding father NHL teams, the Bruins. I know the kids who play on our local High School team and they shudder at the prospect of playing teams in the Boston area. I know it's not state wide, but the culture of hockey in this area is alive and well and the sport at all levels is revered!!

 

[du78]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Snow Day - The blizzard has started in NYC and Long Island. We are looking at a total accumulation of close to 18 inches by late tonight.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Why exactly are you guys arguing about a 40+ year old issue?

That's what college hockey fans do. We place inordinate, dangerous amounts of our self-esteem on the haphazard bounce of a rubber disk batted around by college students, and the various machinations that affect the exact supply of talented batters of said disk over the years. We all need therapy.

 

[Toe Blake]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Beautifully stated. Like an episode of the freakin' Waltons. But entirely beside the point (at least the one I was endeavoring to make). Mariucci was peeing in his pants at the prospect of having to play DU. Do you honestly believe he would have refused to play us if he thought he had a chance? Please, not to make me laugh. Yes, as you say, the "state of hockey" has many advantages and many of those advantages inure to the hockey program at the state's flagship university. Perhaps we should stop contesting these league and national titles and just award the championships in perpetuity to the Gophers, would that make you happy? Can we ever apologize enough for poaching on your territory?

At the risk of sounding Rodney King esque, the debate has run it's course and has turned into irrelevant and sometimes inaccurate cheap shots from both fan bases. The facts are that Armstrong and Mariucci had different recruiting philosophies for different goals. Both were extremely successful in attaining their own goals. Both did so within the rules existing at the time. To Minnesota fans, Armstrong was hired to build a winning program. He did. He did so with kids (or men if you prefer) that generally turned out to be positive contributors beyond hockey and bettered themselves by the college experience. It's not like he was recruiting......oh ....say..... Royce White like individuals with known prior character issues. To Denver fans, Mariucci easily could have extended his recruiting trips just a few miles further north to compete more successfully with the powerhouse programs of his era. But he had a longer term vision for American players (or Minnesota players if you prefer). He sacrificed short term success for a longer term goal which he attained. I don't have anything negative to say about Armstrong. Mariucci was extremely stubborn. That trait ultimately was a major factor in the development of American/Minnesotan hockey. But it also was too extreme at times. I don't see the benefit of his refusal to play Denver (and get thrashed). It only took away from what he accomplished.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

At the risk of sounding Rodney King esque, the debate has run it's course and has turned into irrelevant and sometimes inaccurate cheap shots from both fan bases. The facts are that Armstrong and Mariucci had different recruiting philosophies for different goals. Both were extremely successful in attaining their own goals. Both did so within the rules existing at the time. To Minnesota fans, Armstrong was hired to build a winning program. He did. He did so with kids (or men if you prefer) that generally turned out to be positive contributors beyond hockey and bettered themselves by the college experience. It's not like he was recruiting......oh ....say..... Royce White like individuals with known prior character issues. To Denver fans, Mariucci easily could have extended his recruiting trips just a few miles further north to compete more successfully with the powerhouse programs of his era. But he had a longer term vision for American players (or Minnesota players if you prefer). He sacrificed short term success for a longer term goal which he attained. I don't have anything negative to say about Armstrong. Mariucci was extremely stubborn. That trait ultimately was a major factor in the development of American/Minnesotan hockey. But it also was too extreme at times. I don't see the benefit of his refusal to play Denver (and get thrashed). It only took away from what he accomplished.

Well stated.

These are two of the great programs in the sport, and I just wish DU and Minneota had the chance to play more than they did. Both Mariucci and Armstrong were important builders of the sport - challenging convention, setting the bar high and graduating players and people of character.

 

[4four4]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Well stated.

These are two of the great programs in the sport, and I just wish DU and Minneota had the chance to play more than they did. Both Mariucci and Armstrong were important builders of the sport - challenging convention, setting the bar high and graduating players and people of character.

I would love to hear Armstrong's opinion of the Mariucci era. Not so much why John didn't schedule DU but more of the long term effects of each program.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

I would love to hear Armstrong's opinion of the Mariucci era. Not so much why John didn't schedule DU but more of the long term effects of each program.

Great book idea. Is Armstrong still around? I wonder what some of the players of that era would remember and some of the other coaches that were around. Woog I bet knows or remembers a lot about it. Sonmor as well.

 

[4four4]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

BTW this message is for the spineless chicken hawk, why didn't you leave your name? Or more importantly why didn't you have the guts to quote me? That is what I thought you didn't have anything to add.

 

[4four4]

Re: DU vs UM 2/12-2/13 at Magness

Great book idea. Is Armstrong still around? I wonder what some of the players of that era would remember and some of the other coaches that were around. Woog I bet knows or remembers a lot about it. Sonmor as well.

Absolutely, both coaches would be ideal. From my memory neither one of them have really publicly discussed the issues from that era.