Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Sizing Up the Fighting Sioux

Last, but certainly the most important, on our tour of Frozen Four teams is BC’s opponent for Thursday’s national semifinal, the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.


Team: University of North Dakota
Location: Grand Forks, North Dakota
Nickname: Fighting Sioux, used to be named after a squirrel (more rodentia)
Fact: The "Fighting" in the team's "Fighting Sioux" nickname was inspired by fellow Frozen Four team Notre Dame
Colors: Green, white and black

Record: 28-10-4
Conference: Western Collegiate Hockey Association
USCHO.com Ranking: #3, BC #7
PairWise Ranking: #3, BC #6t

Road to Frozen Four: Defeated Princeton 5-1, survived Wisconsin in Madison 3-2 OT, lost to Denver 3-1 in the WCHA semifinal. Finished second behind Colorado College in WCHA regular season. #1 seed in Midwest regional (#3 overall).

National Championships: 7 – '59, '63, '80, '82, '87, '97 and 2000
Tournament Appearances: 23 (18th Frozen Four)
Hobey Baker winners: 2, Tony Hrkac (1987) and Ryan Duncan (2007)

This Year vs. the Eagles

This game is a bit of unfinished business for both teams. The teams skated to a 0-0 tie after two periods at Conte Forum in October. The game was shortened due to fog coming off the Kelley Rink ice in a humid Conte Forum.

History vs. the Eagles

Unbelievably, Thursday’s game marks the 7th time out of the last 10 years that the Eagles and Sioux have faced one another in the National tournament. The teams traded national titles in 2000 and 2001. BC has won the last two meetings, both in the national semifinal. This is North Dakota’s fourth consecutive Frozen Four appearance (longest current active streak). The last team to make four consecutive trips to the Frozen Four? BC from 1998-2001.

  • 2007 – Boston College 6, North Dakota 4 (Frozen Four)
  • 2006 – Boston College 6, North Dakota 5 (Frozen Four)
  • 2005 – North Dakota 6, Boston College 3 (East Regional Final)
  • 2001 – Boston College 3, North Dakota 2 OT (National Championship)
  • 2000 – North Dakota 4, Boston College 2 (National Championship)
  • 1999 – Boston College 2, North Dakota 1 (West Regional Final)

    How They Advance To The Title Game

    - Solid performance from local boy J-P Lamoureux … now a senior, JPL will have a little revenge in mind after getting bounced from the tournament by the Eagles the last two years
    - The Toews-TJ Oshie-Ryan Duncan line lights the lamp
    - Keep the game in front of them – BC lives and dies on its transition game (see: BC's 3 goals in 1:58 in the regional final)
    - Get the special teams going – in their only meeting this year, the teams were a combined 0 for 6 on the man advantage (NoDak was 0 for 4).

    Entrance Music

    Muse ... Lamoureux = "Supermassive Black Hole"
  • 12 comments:

    Anfield10 said...

    i'm already getting nervous/excited for the game - this really is developing into a fantastic rivalry...in my last 3 years at BC (04-07) I always knew that we would meet them somehow. The games against them have always been tense, exciting, thrilling. Unlike many other high tension games, this one is always flowing. I can't wait for the game and also know that I will hate life for those few hours because there will never be a time to relax

    Brian said...

    BC is hot, winners of 7 straight. NoDak just as hot ... 19-3-3 since Jan 1.

    Eric J. Burton said...

    This is what kills me, Notre dame is the only team in the Frozen Four that hasn't been playing what I consider really good hockey.

    UND has lost a few games lately DU and MTU in the homes series.

    Brian said...

    agreed. ND sucks. look at the sidebar poll. Michigan has a joke road to the championship game.

    Brian said...

    "ND sucks" = notre dame.

    "look at the sidebar poll" = look at how many people think Notre Dame is tough competition.

    Brian said...

    "You have rivals in your league, and your league championships and postseason tournament,” he said, “but when you have a rivalry that develops on such a big stag. I’ve had 10 national championship appearances with BC, and North Dakota has been an opponent in seven of them and two were in the national championship game. This rivalry is something. It’s really special. We have a respect for their program." - Coach York

    We respect you ...


    You stay classy, SAN MAN.

    Eric J. Burton said...

    Brian some of the fan base has a problem with being classy, in the end it is just a game while I want the Sioux to win I am not going to write profanity on a fan's team blog.

    Brian said...

    @ goon - the shame of it all was I was "agreeing" with you ... enjoy the game.

    Eric J. Burton said...

    Yep I agree with you too. I am nervous about the game already.

    BrettB in STL said...

    How UND advances to the Title Game?? :
    "The Toews-TJ Oshie-Ryan Duncan line lights the lamp"

    I know you guys try your best, but putting the NHL's Rookie of the Year back on his college team???? Come on, UND can beat BC without Jonny (even though he is the greatest 19 year old on skates) but still UND will take goals by KO+SHIE+CAN = #8. That line will have a great game, and so will Bina and Genoway helping out. 4-3 UND, Gerbe Joe Whit, and Ferriero get some tally's but cant hold up to a deep Fighting Sioux

    Eric J. Burton said...

    I want to see an end to end rush by Genoway.

    Brian said...

    @ brettb - thx for keeping us honest, and respecting us. haa. i was reading a preview of last year's game.