fargo (02/15/83)
The Fighting Sioux play aggressive, defensive hockey. The intensity of their play - as well as all other WCHA teams - makes the WCHA the premier college hockey conference in the nation. They are certainly not a goon squad as one subscriber described them. Ask their opponents - they will assure you otherwise. The Sioux have been involved in fighting incidences with other teams but I, for one, don't like to point fingers unless I know the reasons leading up to the altercations. One fact - the Sioux recruit heavily from Canada. Some incidences have been linked to cheap shots (both ways) between players regarding their national origins. May I further suggest that the problem is magnified by the fact that the Sioux have been doing well the last few years. As a long time follower of UND athletics, I can state that fighting was not a problem or a topic of debate (relatively speaking) when UND was at the bottom of the WCHA. Regarding Sioux fans: Not nearly as vocal as Wisconsin fans but certainly more knowledgable of the game. I've never know the Sioux fans to be "gross" as one subscriber described. Let's keep cheap shots off net.sports.hockey. I am interested in hearing about hockey in other parts of the country - not debating the fighting issue or defending UND. What'ya say hockey fans?
pal (02/16/83)
In reply to Matt Noah's article about the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota:
One fact - the Sioux recruit heavily from
Canada. Some incidences[sic] have been linked to cheap shots (both ways)
between players regarding their national origins.
North Dakota are not the only team with Canadian players. Wisconsin has
many Canadians too. Even Minnesota, which until recently recruited solely
in-state players, has one Canadian player this year, goalie Pietrangelo (A
really good one too, I might add).
8-) The only incidents I know of that have been linked to cheap shots about
national origin were in the book "Love Story". 8-)
May I further suggest that the problem is magnified by the fact that the
Sioux have been doing well the last few years. As a long time follower
of UND athletics, I can state that fighting was not a problem or
a topic of debate (relatively speaking) when UND was at the bottom
of the WCHA. [Matt Noah]
Another way of looking at this is that when the Sioux weren't fighting, they
were at the bottom of the WCHA, and now, when they most certainly DO fight,
they are near the top. Minnesota and Wisconsin have also been at or near the
top, but neither has the reputation of North Dakota, so the argument that being
at the top causes teams to fight with you seems weak at best.
I would not say that North Dakota is entirely without talent, but if they win
the NCAA tournament, then many other teams will be tempted to go the fighting
route, which would be bad for the game. Hence, I would rather see some other
team win, and Minnesota fits the bill (Alas, much as I would like it, Wisconsin
doesn't seem consistent enough to pull it off).
Cheap Shot: Why do they call themselves the "Fighting" Sioux ? 8-)
Regarding Sioux fans: Not nearly as vocal as Wisconsin fans but
certainly more knowledgable of the game. I've never know the
Sioux fans to be "gross" as one subscriber described. [Noah]
FLAME ON!!!. If you have never known the Sioux fans to be "gross", then
either you have not been keeping up with things the last couple years, or
your definition of gross would encompass very little.
FACT: When Wisconsin played at Grand Forks, objects were thrown at the
Wisconsin Goalkeeper from the crowd.
FACT: Play has had to be suspended at Grand Forks while the ice was cleared
of debris thrown from the stands. "Knowledgeable" fans, even gross ones, would
not do this for fear of having their team penalised.
FACT: The fans at Grand Forks THROW DEAD GOPHERS ON THE ICE when the Sioux
score against Minnesota, and throw dead badgers when they score against
Wisconsin. (These are the mascots of the two teams, respectively)
8-). Sioux fans also wear hideous green check trousers, but that by itself would
not be sufficient evidence to secure a conviction on a charge of grossness. 8-)
Anil Pal
Univ of Wisc.-Madison.
Badger Hockey Fan.