Mini Ralph in TRF

mnhockfaninmoscow
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 2:42 am

Mini Ralph in TRF

Post by mnhockfaninmoscow » Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:11 pm

I was just wondering what the new arena built in Thief River Falls looks like. I technically have my undergraduate degree from UND and know the arena there is frickin awesome so I was wondering if his hometown arena is equally as sweet. <p></p><i></i>

slapshooter
Posts: 4100
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2002 12:30 pm

Nicest in the US I bet ....by SS

Post by slapshooter » Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:39 pm

It's not as elaborate as the one built for the Sioux but it <br><br>has got to be the nicest High School Hockey Arena in <br><br>the United States if not the world. It'd be a great place <br><br>to hold sections for section 8 A and AA.<br><br>Kind of strange though too in a way. Last night watching <br><br>Moorhead and TRF the excitement that can be <br><br>generated in a smaller building was missing, as the crowd <br><br>was scattered throughout the seating making the place <br><br>seem about one eighth or less full. I was wondering <br><br>where all the students were but I heard there was a <br><br>basketball game in Bemidji and many were supposedly <br><br>there. It gave an eerie impression that the Arena was <br><br>considerably larger than a town like TRF could support.<br><br>I suspect that they are going to have to come up with <br><br>more than just High School Hockey events in that building<br><br>in order to keep that place paying for itself.<br><br>Beautiful place though. Better in person than it is in <br><br>photos.<br><br>L<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 0] --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /alien.gif ALT="0]"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> E, SL<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> PSH<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> TER.<br><br>(...a legend in his <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> wn mind...) <p></p><i></i>

Puckguy
Posts: 175
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2003 2:56 pm

Re: Nicest in the US I bet ....by SS

Post by Puckguy » Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:47 am

I agree with Slapshooter. Fabulous rink, but can appear rather overwhelming when its only partially full. Should be a great venue for the World Jr.'s next winter. <p></p><i></i>

scheids316
Posts: 204
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2002 8:31 am

Re: Nicest in the US I bet ....by SS

Post by scheids316 » Thu Jan 22, 2004 3:05 pm

I agree w/SS and others as well. I've watched many games there this year, and although the arena is unbelievable, the atmosphere isn't that great. Aside from the opening game, which of course was a full house, the games haven't been well attended. I've heard complaints from players that the ice isn't that great either. Its still a fabulous place all-around though. <p></p><i></i>

Jesrober
Posts: 128
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:50 pm

Nice arena

Post by Jesrober » Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:50 pm

I drove up there on Tuesday. That is an extremely nice rink, I was amazed. The crowd on Tuesday night was pathetic. Is that a regular occurence in the Ralph? I'm sorry but that looked like maybe 500 people were in there. You have such a great arena and a not bad hockey team, I might add, you need to get more people in that rink. Maybe being from Moorhead I've been spoiled with thousands of fans attending the games but 500 people is sad. <p></p><i></i>

mnhockfaninmoscow
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 2:42 am

Mini Ralph in TRF

Post by mnhockfaninmoscow » Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:08 am

I want to go up to the mini ralph and watch a game. Could anyone know if they have any weekend games against a good team at home?<br><br>Atleast with a nickname like the Prowlers they wont have the problems the Ralph in NoDak has. I was at UND when it first opened and about half way into that season the NCAA D2 basketball committee came up there, because there was so much hype about the arena they were looking into having the D2 basketball final four or whatever at the Ralph. Well at that time I was working on campus, and for some reason I was asked to walk the committee around the campus. They loved the campus, then we took the 3 or 4 block walk to the Ralph and lets just say they were so "offended" by some images they only stayed 5 minutes...they spent more time in the library. <p></p><i></i>

bluesbuddy
Posts: 290
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2002 2:12 am

offensive? watt 'bout defensive?

Post by bluesbuddy » Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:03 am

dat ncaa divisional II BB (not bluesb<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :smokin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> ddy committee) committee wood be affended by a cat gitt'in rung over bah a car.<br><br>ah imagine dat dey didn't like da indian head interlaced within da confines uv da finest marble frum pontious pilate's country {<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>italia</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->} ----- {not <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>italics</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->}.<br><br>ralph englishstads legacy to hockey in da united states {or da world, mine yewz} is unparalleled in da history uv da paralegal frum paraguay hoo paralyzed da sportz fans uv da world when heez paraphrased dat paranoid parasite frum da geographical parameters uv da property uv da paradis trucking company frum brooks, minny soda.<br><br>weather itz a paragon wit da excellence uv da imperial palace in lost wages, nevada --- or da paradox in da predictions of da state chumpians in class a 'an aa --- i tink da paradigm of da state uv hockey today iz paradoxical to da issue in qweshun?!?<br><br>in udder werdz --- dey must've been native americans<br><br><br><br><br><br><!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :smokin --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... smokin.gif ALT=":smokin"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> tell me --- iz dis a truism? <p></p><i></i>

greenwave11
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:59 am

miniralph

Post by greenwave11 » Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:59 am

I to have seen 4 games at the new engelstad arena. It is without a doubt the third nicest facility in the state of Minnesota behind the excel and the U of M facility. I have seen the EGF game-sellout, The Warroad game 1800 people, the Roseau game 1700-1800 people and the Moorhead game-1300 people. One has to understand that there are 3800 seats in the facility not to mention standing room. If only the bar stools are occupied,which are on the top ring, that is 380 people. I think the size of the facility makes you think there are not many people there. I have been very impressed with the number of people who attend the games. I have been to Moorhead several times and the gate has been nowhere near 1300 people. I would even lobby to hold the section 8AA tournament and the state boys class A tournament at this facility. P.S. i may add that whoever runs the rink does a first class job of keeping the facility clean. <p></p><i></i>

scheids316
Posts: 204
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2002 8:31 am

Re: miniralph

Post by scheids316 » Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:40 am

greenwave, I agree with you. The Moorhead fan's assumption that a 500+ crowd is "Pathetic," is way off base. Its the size of the arena that makes it seem like that. Realize there are only 9-10,000 people in TRF, and 500+ isn't a bad showing. You have to take into consideration other events going on, and the people who just don't like to venture in the -0 weather. I believe the Sec. 8 tournament is slated to be held there within the next few years, that would be nice.<br>And the person who runs the arena is none other than Tom Goddard, former WCHA and High School referee. He hung up the stripes to take over the managerial job at the Mini-Ralph. He is doing an outstanding job, and I'm sure will continue to do so for years to come. <p></p><i></i>

BSU Beavers
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:54 am

Next Weekend

Post by BSU Beavers » Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:54 am

mnhockfan,<br><br>The Prowlers have a home game next Saturday (Jan. 31) according to their schedule. A few of us visiting Bemidji for the BSU series that weekend are going to run over and catch some of the game and arena before heading back to Bemidji for the BSU game that night.<br><br>Could any TRF fans post what time the games start on Saturday? We would hate to run over and find out that the game times have been changed. <p>BSU BEAVERS<br><br>Visit <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.thebeaverpond.com">"The BeaverPond"</a><!--EZCODE LINK END-->, the unofficial home of Bemidji State Hockey</p><i></i>

Prowler05
Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2002 11:44 pm

Re: Next Weekend

Post by Prowler05 » Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:10 pm

JV 5:15, Varsity 7:30, by the way, i hope the beavers can pull it off this year and make the national tourny, i saw them play against minn.duluth when they beat em', pretty good game and team. <p></p><i></i>

BSU Beavers
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:54 am

Thanks

Post by BSU Beavers » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:38 am

Thanks Prowler. Looks like we won't be making the trip as BSU starts at 7:00 on Saturday night. I was hoping it was an afternoon game, but now am glas I made sure! <p></p><i></i>

nurfacehky
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2003 9:37 am

Re: miniralph

Post by nurfacehky » Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:48 am

If only a hand-full of fans say 900 to 1500 show up to watch EGF play Moorhead, maybe it is time for Moorhead to drop them from the schedule, at least one game, hummmm, sorry they did that. The game against Greenway drew a small crowd of 3100, opps, sorry I may be off one or two hundred. Last year at EGF there were more Moorhead fans than EGF, oh I guess there was a Girls swim meet going on. <p></p><i></i>

ptown tigers
Posts: 170
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2002 3:06 am

Re: miniralph

Post by ptown tigers » Sat Jan 24, 2004 2:43 am

Does anyone know anything about This Ralph Engelsted. I am a future UND student, i start there next fall and all i have heard is that he made a fortune in vegas. Then he donated Arenas to UND and TRF. I also heard that people were trying to change the Souix mascot, but he said he would withdraw all the money if they changed the mascot. Anyone know the true story bout this fellow? Did he even play hockey or just a fan. <p>Good Teams Would be Nothin without Good Water.....</p><i></i>

slapshooter
Posts: 4100
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2002 12:30 pm

The ' short' story of Ralph .......by SS

Post by slapshooter » Sat Jan 24, 2004 3:31 am

ptown,<br><br>Ralph played in the nets for the ' Prowlers ' and then <br><br>later for the ' Sioux ' in the days of his youth.<br><br>Long story after that. You know me, I'm not into telling <br><br>long stories....<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>L<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 0] --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /alien.gif ALT="0]"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> E, SL<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> PSH<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> TER.<br><br>(...a legend in his <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START 8o --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/nerd.gif ALT="8o"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> wn mind...) <p></p><i></i>

Nails62
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2004 2:48 pm

Re: miniralph

Post by Nails62 » Sat Jan 24, 2004 3:37 am

Ralph Engelstad was a goalie for the TRF prowlers in the late 1940s. He was part of the TRF team in 1946 that made it to the first MN state HS hockey tournament and took second place. He then went on to play for UND majoring in Entrepreneurship. After graduating from UND in the 1950s he took a chance starting a business in the small city of Las Vegas, and needless to say he made a fortune building his company, Imperial Palace, into a Billion dollar organization. His unprecedented generosity to his college and home town have been greatly appreciated. <p></p><i></i>

mnhockfaninmoscow
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Jan 05, 2003 2:42 am

Mini Ralph in TRF

Post by mnhockfaninmoscow » Sat Jan 24, 2004 4:00 am

To any UND student who is 21...go to Vegas and show your NAID thinger to the losers at the Imperial Palace...you get a 25% discount at the hotel...thanks Ralph for giving me beer money in Vegas.<br>This is totally off the subject, but was Ralpg-ster a Nazi... I ask because of Hitlers car. OK I am more than a wee bit off the subject, sorry to the TRF people who might read this, but come on a car owned by HITLER! <br>Anyways, BSU: Id like to go to a BSU game, and I thought since I will be going to that TRF game maybe I could meet up with you before the TRF game and talk some smack drink a brewski or something and then follow to the BSU game since I have no idea where BSU plays. <p></p><i></i>

BSU Beavers
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:54 am

MnHockFan

Post by BSU Beavers » Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:31 am

According to Prowler, it is a night game at TRF, which conflicts with BSU's game that night, so we won't be making the trip over. If it was a day game, like I originally saw somewhere, we would be there.<br><br>If you ever want to go to a BSU game, the directions are quite easy. Take Highway 2 to Bemidji and then take 197 through town. Coming from the west, you will head east on 197 and the road will turn south at the Northwest Corner of the BSU campus. On your left will be the BSU baseball field and you will want to make a left on the road at the grandstand. The John Glas and its parking lot are right there on your right. <p></p><i></i>

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