brianvf

Looking at scheduling moving forward with the Spengler and WJC: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/und-may-re-examine-how-it-schedules-games-over-christmas-break

Super early USCHO Bracketology: https://www.uscho.com/2026/01/07/bracketology-first-crack-at-predicting-the-ncaa-field

BU's current NPI is #23, so even a little worse. They've certainly got some ground to make up if they want a shot at an at-large bid.

Bring in a Josh Siembida at mid-season.

I certainly wouldn't shed a tear if BU happens to miss the NCAA's completely. Would be humorous if both OMac and Boisvert's NCAA careers end that way, while their old team is close to a #1 seed.

Maybe he gets nothing but SHUTOUTS for the rest of the season???

I notice a pretty distinct difference in hardness, quickness, and play compared to the last couple seasons. It's impossible for any team to be dominant every shift of every game...not even the 80's USSR teams did that. That said, they've had a couple lapses from time to time. They're still a very young team that appears to be building and getting better. I like what I see, for the vast majority. And I'm willing to give them a pass for that first 10min against Mercyhurst. They had two guys that flew in from overseas playing, plus two more guys that just completed their WJC games the day before, plus two more big minute guys out still playing at the WJC.

Reschny and Verhoeff looking to use their experience at WJC for the rest of this UND season: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/unds-canadian-medalists-eager-to-apply-lessons-learned-at-world-juniors Also a mention of MacKenzie for next year.

Not sure how many of BU's issues will get better by getting even younger in the forward group, but he's definitely a skilled player. What BU lacks isn't skill though...seems to be a lot of their issues lie in defensive coverage. If Tynan plays a 200ft game, then he'll help.

Big series coming up this weekend. CC has been struggling this season, but can still put in a good result from time to time...they beat UMD earlier this season and took DU to OT. Mbereko has been more "human" this year, but can still steal some games, I'm sure. Time to avenge our last series down in The Springs in Feb 2024, where UND was swept 6-2 and 7-1. Ouch. It'll be nice having all the guys back...hopefully we see some nice jumps in the 2nd half from the boys that participated in the WJC and Spengler Cup.

He looked about 10x better than McKenna did during this WJC.

Updated Commit Stats as of Jan 4th: Crazy the goal difference for Brock Schultz since being traded to Sioux Falls from Waterloo...he's really taken off. Simpson crushing it. 5-3-8 in his last 5 games. MacKenzie getting a lot of press as the only undrafted player on Canada WJC team. He'll be drafted this summer for sure. Simpson one point off the USHL scoring lead. Forwards B. Schultz (USHL Sioux Falls) - '05: 30gp - 14g/11a Pilgrim (USHL Tri-City) - '06: 25gp - 8g/10a A. Schultz (USHL Chicago) - '06: 21gp - 8g/8a O'Neill (WHL Edmonton) - '07: 37gp - 14g/10a Sanderson (USHL Muskegon) - '07: 26gp - 8g/13a Simpson (USHL Youngstown) - '07: 32gp - 17g/26a Jundt (WHL Calgary) - '08: 31gp - 6g/2a Williams (WHL Saskatoon) - '08: 36gp - 13g/21a DeMars (WHL Penticton) - '09: 32gp - 4g/6a Grubb (SSM 18U Prep) - '09: 26gp - 6g/12a McKamey (WHL Victoria) - '09: 23gp - 1g/5a Defensemen MacKenzie (WHL Edmonton) - '06: 30gp - 10g/21a Klimpke (WHL Saskatoon) - '07: 38gp - 3g/26a Lindberg (USHL Fargo) - '07: 27gp - 4g/9a Penner (USHL Fargo) - '08: 15gp - 0g/0a Goalies Heil (USHL Madison) - '06: 16gp - 2.60 / .891 (10-4-2)

Proud of the showing of all our UND boys this tourney, despite none of them bringing home the gold. Zellers and Reschny were both offensive leaders for their teams, and Emery/Verhoeff both seemed to play well despite limited ice time. MacKenzie will be a special one. Now...hopefully Bryn and Dane closed the deal on another one or two big ones while attending.

I think it would definitely play a part in their decisions.

Article on Spunar from CHN: https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/01/04_Spunars-Scorchin-Start.php