FOX Sports, you just made the shit list. (Hockey related)

The BBQ Pit
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Note to readers: This involves College Hockey. If you don’t care, stop reading. There won’t be many here that know or care about this, but it’s pissing me off to no end what with all the coverage given to other sports this time of year. Plus, a little civic pride as the West regionals are being held in my city. I’m heading out for the game soon, so I’ll try to make it brief.

In a recent Pit, I hit ESPN for not covering free-agency when it began. Fine. It wasn’t the most egregious affront. But hearing about Syracuse in the opening rounds non-stop was annoying. How are they faring anyway?

As most of you don’t know, the men’s hockey tournament is being played right now. I realize that less sporting games like basketball are dominating headlines (thanks to pools and gambling), but we’re still talking about a Division I chamionship. I don’t expect it to be the lead story on your local sports’ report, but a franchise that purports to cover sports authoritatively, I would expect to find a nugget of news on your website!

So I’ve lowered FOX Sports below ESPN for sports coverage. It pains me to do it, but I have to give respect to the organization that covers sports.

Here, ESPN has some links to news and analysis of the tournament. (Go Sioux!)

At Fox sports dot com? Nothing. Though they do make up for it by linking to more popular sports like poker. beach volleyball, and for fuck’s sake, fishing!. Now granted, these 3 are more popular than hockey :rolleyes: , but throw us a fucking bone! Give a weak-ass effort to the tourney. It may be an insult, but at least we know you’re thinking of us enough to insult us!

As a side rant to the NCAA, you’ve decided UND with its world-class arena can’t host anymore NCAA post-season games starting next year because “Fighting Sioux” creates a hostile environment? Why haven’t I heard of anything about the Holy Cross “Crusaders”? That seems a bit harsh for any non-Christians that attend the school. Sounds a bit more hostile than a school honoring the Sioux nation with excellence at every chance. Even replacing the line “Home of the Brave” with “Home of the Sioux”. Oh yeah, and all that free tuition granted members of the Sioux Nation in an attempt to hold them back and oppress them.

OK, maybe it’s 2 rants. Just getting it all out. Leaving soon for the game, so any responses requested will have to wait. For now, I have to get back to the ESPN page. At least they have universal coverage of sports.

Poker. Who the fuck ever got hurt playing poker unless welching on a bet? FOX “Sports”, indeed.
Oh, and go Crusaders! :stuck_out_tongue:

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There’s never been good TV coverage of the NCAA hockey tournament. I had a hell of a time even finding out when the games were on 2 years ago. I’m not sure that you deserve any better as a Fighting Sioux fan :wink: , but the rest of us sure do.

As an aside, how does UND get along with the Sioux Nation? I thought Florida State got a waiver because of their relationship with the Seminole Nation, maybe that’s an option.

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One more game to the Frozen Four. Anyone willing to help a schlub get tickets without getting taken by a ticket broker? Unlikely I’m sure, and I’ll pay the premium for the tix, but to hell with it! I have to be there! Plus, Milwaukee’s my hometown so I get to visit my favorite haunts as well as cheer on my Sioux to the Championship!

How about a mini Dope-party that weekend? The games are at the Bradley Center. I’m thinking the Speakeasy for a meet and greet. Only a few blocks away. And it’s a kick-ass bar for those that haven’t been to it. And those that have been to it, you know it’s perfect for a Dope meet.

Go Sioux!!! :slight_smile:

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The Sioux-Holy Cross game is apparently going to be shown on something called ESPNU tomorrow night. If you don’t have that (and I don’t think I do, I’d never even heard of until I was reading a college hockey board earlier this evening) you might have to go to a sports bar.

I agree that it sucks about the Ralph (the best sheet of ice in college hockey) being shafted over the Sioux thing.

On the bright side, the Crusaders took down the Gophers tonight while the Sioux had an easy skate over Michigan. It’s UND’s championship to lose now. :slight_smile:

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I have to admit, I was a bit worried about the Sioux playing the Wolves. I felt that was potentially the Championship right there. But we have Holy Cross to face, and with them beating Minnesota they are suddenly a formidable opponent. Minnesota had a kick-ass team this year, as well as Wisconsin. We beat Wisconsin, which was a bitter-sweet victory for me. Hockey is the only D-I sport I don’t root for Wisconsin to win. I’ll always be a Wisconsonite, but I loves me some Sioux Hockey!

It’s a bit like a Packer’s fan rooting for the Bear’s, but if the Gophers made the Frozen Four, a bit of me would pull for the Gophers only because of Potulny. Home-town kid and all.

Thankfully, I can call out the the win for UND. Right or wrong, I’m staking my call on North Dakota to win the title.

1997 and 2000 UND won the WCHA title and went on to win the national championship. UND won the WCHA title this year.

I’m working on tickets for the games at the Bradley Center. I have enough friends and family to avoid the hotels, but I need tickets. So I’m calling on all Dopers. Help a Doper out!

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And of course I forgot to address this. :smack:

In Grand Forks, and regionally, it’s going to be on Fox Sports North. (Ironic? Based on the OP? You decide.)

As of this posting, ESPN has the score. Nothing from Fox Sports.

In the Twin Cities it should be the same. They are the arbiters of FSN. You’ll have it available as I will. Though I suspect Holy Cross will suddenly be the favorite college in the Twin Cities area tomorrow.

Of course, I’ll be there. But you can watch me cheering them on! And you can cheer me on while cheering them on! It will make you feel good! And you can post updates of the game so everyone else can cheer us along!

Well, maybe not. I’ll have to post my own celebrations. North Dakota isn’t a legit entity for many here. And North Dakota Hockey is probably even less a concern than the state. But it’s a title and we’re proud of them!

Minnesota is out of the running. As well as Michigan. We’re gunning (heh) for another title. Balls out and willing to bust. In another thread it became obvious that North Dakota is a drain on America. Hockey is all we have, it’s the only thing we have going for us.

This is our bone. This is what makes us feel like humans in a country that hates us. For everyone that has a secret wish for the underdog to win, cheer the Sioux!

It will make you feel better about yourself! You’ll enjoy riches beyond your dreams! You will experience Nirvana!
Or I’ll be happy and spare you some some lame Pits for a few weeks.

Either way, everyone wins! And isn’t that what we all want? :slight_smile: