PucKato is not on the trip to Anchorage this week and will be tuned in to the radio broadcast like lot of you. I'll try to post anything I can over the weekend.
Not a lot of questions this week, but lets get started ...
From Sam: Can you explain why the Gophers mascot, cheerleaders and pep band were at the Xcel Center on Saturday for the Mavericks "home" game? I didn't see any SCSU cheerleaders/etc. in the early game against Duluth. It was Duluth's "home" game and only their cheerleaders were there. The fact that the U of M's full crew was there, along with their pep band that constantly played their school song, really upset me as a "home team" Maverick fan:
Sam, I heard this from a few people. The fact that the Gophers' band was there didn't bother me. I likened it to college football when schools take their bands on the road with them. It happens all the time. I think, however, that MSU could have done a better job trying to make that into a home event. They did have their rink announcer, cheerleaders and promotions. One big element that was missing, however, was the "Ole" song. That's become a real signature at MSU games after goals. If you don't believe me, ask every other WCHA beat writer. The song's been stuck in Grand Forks' Brad Schlossman's head for three years. As for the MSU band, they don't play hockey games anymore, according to AD Kevin Buisman.
From Hagar: I think MSU is going to have to spring for a new strap for Zach's helmet. Or maybe we should start a Helmet Counter and keep a tally of how many times it comes off throughout the year. From what I can remember,I think we may be up to 5, maybe even more:
Hagar, I hope they get that fixed, too. It's just too dangerous. Zacharias seems to have a habit of losing his helmet when he gets hit in the head with a puck. I remember it happening last year, too. Gophers coach Don Lucia looked like he thought something was fishy when the mask came off again on Saturday. If you saw the replay, though, it was a freak accident where Channing Boe's stick blade slipped under the back of the helmet as he skated by and popped the helmet off. Two things need to happen: Zacharias needs to strap that helmet a little tighter, and the Mavericks defensemen need to watch their sticks!
From Alexander Parker: Any insight on Youds's play? It seems the veteran-like demeanor and poise that made him good last year has completely vanished. He seems to be playing very emotionally and frustrated. I'm guessing his performance Saturday (2 or 3 of those goals were partly or mostly his fault, and Zacharias saved him on a couple other give-aways) will warrant another benching... maybe both games next weekend.
A.P., Youds isn't going to sit this weekend -- at least not tonight. But he does seem to be having a bit of a sophomore slump. He took a very dumb penalty against North Dakota that ended up costing his team and paid for it by being benched last Friday. Youds was too good last season as a freshman to think he's lost it. He is +2 this year, although +/- doesn't factor in power-play goals. He also has seven penalties after committing just 17 all of last year. All of the players need to get used to the new rules quickly or the Mavericks will be in trouble.
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