Fighting Sioux 23
New member
Re: North Dakota @ Denver: 2/24-2/25 - Let the Rivalry Renew!
Agreed. There weren't as many Sioux fans as in past seasons, but we still made a bunch of noise. Add the fact that North Dakota came out on fire, and a lot of DU fans were sitting on their hands, which made it pretty one sided. By the time DU got back into it in the final minute, most of the Denver fans had left Magness.
Either way, here were my thoughts on the game...
The opening ten minutes were probably the best UND has played all season. The SOG were something like 14-1 midway through the first, and if it were not for Brittain, it could have easily been 2 or 3-0 instead of just the 1-0 score.
Denver turned it around in the final minute or so of the first, and carried that momentum through into the second. Prior to Kristo's penalty shot, it was all Denver, as the Pioneers outshot the Sioux about 10-1. That being said, DU did not get a lot of great chances, but if one of those had gone in, it would have been a completely different game.
The officiating was inconsistent. Lee from DU could do nothing without getting sent to the box. I was on the opposite side from the major penalty, but it did not look like contact to the head (and I believe there is video that shows this as well). I think the violence of the collision was what resulted in a 5, and I was okay with that. I think officials should have some discretion when dealing out majors, but that one just didn't seem like a 5 to me. Overall though, I felt like the officials did a good job of not "officiating the score" which we see all too often in the WCHA. They let the players play for the most part, but then randomly decided to call stuff. That kind of officiating has to be frustrating for everyone on the ice.
North Dakota came out in the third period and played well. The two goals (Rowney and Pattyn) were set up beautifully by the Sioux. Give the Pioneers credit for coming back. Their first goal was very nice, and Eidsness needs to do a bit better job on that second goal. The Zucker goal was ridiculous. The Sioux have had big time issues with faceoffs all season, and it killed them again last night. I'm not sure how many goals they have given up in the 5 or so seconds following a draw this season, but it has been far too many.
It will be interesting to see how the momentum Denver built up at the end of the game last night carries over into this evening. If Denver comes out strong and can get a 1-0 or 2-0 lead, I think the Sioux will wilt, and it could get ugly. Hopefully the extra day at altitude will help the guys tonight. The Sioux haven't swept in Denver since November of 2003, and I certainly don't expect it to happen again tonight. However, if they can get strong goaltending, good defense, and timely scoring, they will have a chance, and that is all you can ever really ask for on a Saturday for the road team.
Agreed. There weren't as many Sioux fans as in past seasons, but we still made a bunch of noise. Add the fact that North Dakota came out on fire, and a lot of DU fans were sitting on their hands, which made it pretty one sided. By the time DU got back into it in the final minute, most of the Denver fans had left Magness.
Either way, here were my thoughts on the game...
The opening ten minutes were probably the best UND has played all season. The SOG were something like 14-1 midway through the first, and if it were not for Brittain, it could have easily been 2 or 3-0 instead of just the 1-0 score.
Denver turned it around in the final minute or so of the first, and carried that momentum through into the second. Prior to Kristo's penalty shot, it was all Denver, as the Pioneers outshot the Sioux about 10-1. That being said, DU did not get a lot of great chances, but if one of those had gone in, it would have been a completely different game.
The officiating was inconsistent. Lee from DU could do nothing without getting sent to the box. I was on the opposite side from the major penalty, but it did not look like contact to the head (and I believe there is video that shows this as well). I think the violence of the collision was what resulted in a 5, and I was okay with that. I think officials should have some discretion when dealing out majors, but that one just didn't seem like a 5 to me. Overall though, I felt like the officials did a good job of not "officiating the score" which we see all too often in the WCHA. They let the players play for the most part, but then randomly decided to call stuff. That kind of officiating has to be frustrating for everyone on the ice.
North Dakota came out in the third period and played well. The two goals (Rowney and Pattyn) were set up beautifully by the Sioux. Give the Pioneers credit for coming back. Their first goal was very nice, and Eidsness needs to do a bit better job on that second goal. The Zucker goal was ridiculous. The Sioux have had big time issues with faceoffs all season, and it killed them again last night. I'm not sure how many goals they have given up in the 5 or so seconds following a draw this season, but it has been far too many.
It will be interesting to see how the momentum Denver built up at the end of the game last night carries over into this evening. If Denver comes out strong and can get a 1-0 or 2-0 lead, I think the Sioux will wilt, and it could get ugly. Hopefully the extra day at altitude will help the guys tonight. The Sioux haven't swept in Denver since November of 2003, and I certainly don't expect it to happen again tonight. However, if they can get strong goaltending, good defense, and timely scoring, they will have a chance, and that is all you can ever really ask for on a Saturday for the road team.
