Articles and Friday reading

There was an interesting article in the GF Herald about the upcoming stretch the Sioux are facing. Let's face it; it's not going to be easy. Looking this weekend at a Cornell team who is desperate to earn some OOC wins, followed by games against Denver, St. Cloud, and Minnesota-Duluth, all of whom are playing very good hockey right now.

For those of us who are used to Hakstol's second-half surge, let's hope they start it this weekend by sweeping Big Red.

Here's the article.

Also, there is still no word on Chay Genoway returning. Theresa Spisak had an interesting bit on her weekly USCHO column about WCHA hardship. This is what most people refer to when they talk about "medical redshirt". She makes an interesting point in talking about how Chay's concussion might not qualify if he is healed but the team holds him out "just in case". Personally, I can't see the NCAA denying this because concussions have clearly had the spotlight in recent months. However, it's the NCAA and nothing they do really makes sense anyway, so we'll see.

While we're talking about injuries, I can't remember a Sioux season in recent years where so many guys have had injuries. The Genoway injury was an injury done by a scumbag SCSU player who had intent to injure. That's unfortunate and yes, we're all still angry. But Zajac was hurt, Dell is hurt, and now Hextall and Knight are out. When Gaborik was still with the Minnesota Wild, it became expected that every single year he would be out with a groin injury. But then when 4 or 5 other Wild players went down, I started thinking. Who is this on? The players, or the training staff? I'm not suggesting in any way the UND training staff is responsible for these injuries this year, but if this trend continues for the next 3-4 years, you have to start wondering, right?

Anyway, it is a big series this weekend. I expect the Sioux to come out fired up tonight and hungry. And if they play the cards right, they should be able to sweep Cornell.