NoDaks

If that’s UNDs regional, there will be a few of driving down Thursday night.

Good point. Yeah, that 2011 game, looked like Mussman was about done after that game if it wasn't for that comeback. Interesting to think where things could've been.

Then the comeback in 2011 I believe when it felt like UND was getting run out of the Alerus. Some fun memories.

Defense has been very disappointing to me. I get the struggles, but like others, by this time of the year, like to see a little progression. What I am struggling to understand is UND had such a run of consistent kickers, even in the Mussman era. What happened to that. Stevens has come a ways, so I'll give him credit, but he is a senior.

Would love to see UND get out to the lead on Saturday and run away with it. Last Saturday had the feeling that UND was going to get burned by letting them hang around instead of putting it away given the opportunity. If UND gets one stop last week and goes up 17 instead of giving up a touchdown and only being up 3, the questionable calls by the refs would've been irrelevant and game over. That has to start with kickoff coverage after a TD being much better. Was getting to a point, they should've just borderline kicked it out of bounds, instead of a long return and losing all the momentum. Even when they squib kicked it, they still were able to return it to midfield. While the defense needs to improve, they were also being put out there with a short field way too often.

Just win. This game scares me with an emotional game last week, plus what will be a much emptier Alerus this week. Still looking forward to getting there early and tailgating, then watching hockey on tv whenever the football game ends. This week will tell me a lot with how much this game is promoted. UND needs to be all over Twitter/Facebook/Commercials and whatever else for this game. I think everyone knows by now if they are going to Vegas or not, so anything besides start time/how to watch/listen to the game is unnecessary at this point.

Yeah think the hockey in the cities will be an issue. Hope UND can put together some ticket promotion to help offset that issue and get some people who typically wouldn't go to get there. Could be a #1 team in the country at the Alerus, advertise it like crazy and take advantage of the opportunity.

Any UND tailgating set ups tomorrow? Plan on heading over around 8:30-9 to walk around

The next couple weeks will be interesting. I agree, I wonder what the consequence will be of returning Hain/Senden, while only 2 seniors leaving and 1 early departure. I don't know exactly how it looks or what the roster count will be at now if you include projected freshmen coming in, but with this small of turnover, wonder about players transferring out, and if so, who and how many?

2010-2011 was the toughest loss and in my memory, the best team. The losses to BC + all other FF losses hurt, but that 2011 was just different. After all the FF losses, thought it was finally time to get it done. One underrated game that hurt losing was '09 vs UNH. That team might not stack up on this list, but that loss hurt like it does. Game that got away.

Think this goes without saying, but against a team like Notre Dame and their defense abilities, scoring first needs to happen. I think its a lot more important for UND to score first then Notre Dame. Think they have the ability to win a game 1-0 or 2-1, especially if the 1-0 carries into late second period. Get the lead and make them open up a little bit.

Would really like to see und beat Michigan, but after what happened earlier this season, would really love to see Western get that game back and beat them in the tournament, even sweeter way of adding to that debacle.

Whomever scores the first goal is going to win the game as I think it will really alter how the game is played. If UND had Sanderson or Kleven, I think they win, but think WMU steals the game and wins 2-1 with their goalie again. If UND can get the first goal, that changes things in a hurry, especially with basically a home game.

AHA: AIC/RIT/Air Force/Mercyhurst ECAC: Quinnipiac/Clarkson/Harvard/Colgate HEA: Northeastern/UMass/UM-Lowell/UConn CCHA: Minnesota State/Bemidji State B1G: Minnesota/Michigan NCHC: Denver/UND/WMU/UMD

Trying to find a positive is that UND has done well without his services this year. I guess couple positives are that UND has experience without their star player for a majority of the second half, was quite successful, and already have a NCAA spot locked up. The listing of week-to-week tells me that regionals likely aren't going to happen. At least the younger D-Men have already gained plenty of valuable experience against high quality teams.

I just think as long as there isn't a major issue with changing up the bracket, UND will be sent to Loveland. Too much money and possibility of selling out a regional on the line, which is all what the NCAA stands for. Just would really prefer to be the 1 seed in the regional compared to the 2.

Got to win this one, winning Friday nights takes some of the pressure off. Think UND takes 3-2. Think Senden will be on a mission tonight after being out. Think Senden, Kleven, and Frisch.

These next 4 games are crucial. 4 games that should be and nearly have to be wins. Also that means its four games that scare me. For postseason sake, specifically the NCAA's, I'd say 3-1 is critical. Much less than that probably takes away a shot at the penrose, along with pairwise taking a hit. UND seems to always drop one against Omaha at the Ralph. Always hoping for a sweep, but lets get Friday first.

UND turns the script and wins tonight 4-2. Think Gaber scores, along with Sanderson, Portz, and Senden with the empty net goal. Looking forward to this. Been to nearly every NCHC building for a UND game excluding WMU and beating SCSU in their building was the most fun experience, not including the U of M sweep.

A split is fine with me, but please get the W on Friday night. Split with them on the road, get the series win at home against them in January to win the season series.

I think they used the logo well. It fits both sides of the fan base. If they made it front and center, you know a lot of the hockey fan base wouldn't buy into and and reject the idea, but they also didn't hide a small logo on the pants or helmet to say they used it. I don't care either way, I just think they did it right for both sides. I personally think putting Nodak or North Dakota is a lot more recognizable then the hawk logo, but I understand some people's desire to make the Hawk name or logo the main point of the jersey as well. If the athletic department approved of it, should be good to go. Plus I think sales of the jersey or other variations of the new jersey wouldn't be as high of a demand if Hawks or the new logo was the main point of the jerseys. I'd likely be buying one either way, but I get both sides, and think they did it right.

I really like the new whites. I do agree about moving on. Been with essentially the same concept of jersey for almost 10 years besides the little change a couple years back. Use this as the new white, make a green version, and some kind of version in the blacks. While I have no complaints about the current jerseys, something new would be nice after this period of time. My guess is we see the new whites Minnesota weekend.

I want it to be over, but I'd say under. Way too much going against attendance for this one. The addition of hockey being against Denver hurts attendance. Might be wrong page, but tailgating not opening until 8 for a noon game is brutal.

I have DU wining 4-3 in game 1. The starts scare me, and DU scares me even more. Please prove me wrong.

Will be at the game, expecting a win, but this year, I can't trust my expectations and am tired of getting let down. Trying to stay positive is getting draining, but excited to get back, tailgate two final times for the season, and hopefully watch a win. Preparing myself to be sickened by the crowd turnout. Would think UND would be an angry team, trying to run YSU out of the building, will show a lot about the team I think given the lack of playoff hopes.