ST. PAUL -- After Thursday's 2-0 loss to Michigan in the Frozen Four semifinals, UND defenseman Derrick LaPoint was asked if he still considered his senior season a success.
"I'd have to say, honestly, no," LaPoint said at the press conference. "We were trying to win a national championship and we didn't do it.
"To not do it is a failure, at least in my mind."
As much as I admire the lofty goals of LaPoint and his teammates, I disagree with his assessment.
The season was not a failure. Quite the opposite, actually.
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If the only redeeming value or reward in amateur sports is winning the biggest title, then amateur sports shouldn't exist. Success and failure shouldn't solely be measured by the size of your trophy.
Here are 10 quick reasons -- I could come up with more after lunch -- why the 2010-11 Fighting Sioux were a success:
1. They won the league regular season title.
2. They won the league playoff title.
3. They won the regional title.
4. They were the top-ranked team in the country.
5. They were the most entertaining team in the country.
6. Seven players stuck around for their senior season, even though most of them could have left to collect a paycheck for their hockey skills. When Thursday's loss reaches their rear-view mirror, none will regret their decision to stay.
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7. The comebacks of Matt Frattin, more so off the ice than on it.
8. Effort and enthusiasm were never issues.
9. They shined despite the off-ice distraction of the nickname debate.
10. And Thursday night, they were gracious losers despite falling as a big favorite.
They were the better team on the ice Thursday. Don't take my word for it; take Michigan Coach Red Berenson's. It's hockey's nature that the better team often doesn't win, probably more so than in any other sport. "That's hockey," partisans on both sides said afterward about UND's 40-20 shots-on-goal advantage.
To the Sioux's credit, they didn't alibi that they were victims of bad luck. But, to their discredit, if they believe their season was a failure, they're wrong. Failure isn't measured by one 60-minute sample. Rather, it's determined by the entire collection of work.
Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .
