BarnWinterSportsEngelstad

I just hope the UND fans a scrape up a good portion of the hockey tickets (with so much going on in the cities) and remind the goofs who is the defending national champions.

Marcus Hayes, DAILY NEWS COLUMNIST wrote the article referenced in the previous post. He started that article with: They channeled the spirit of their late owner and the composure of their goaltender and the determination of their coach. Marcus gave Hakstol the adjectives, Lock-jawed coach, as I mentioned in the last post. That is somewhat of the kind of image I've had of Hak, Like I've mentioned in posts before, Hak was too business like/intense, on the bench when he was at UND, something like a professional coach, maybe a college hockey coach should be a little more personal. Don't get me wrong, Hak did us much good and maybe the timing for the move was perfect. I have to give lots of credit to Hak for what he did for UND and for himself. He got Philadelphia's Ron Hextall's attention, resulting in a couple $mil a year. Maybe the best of two worlds, one in Grand Forks and one in Philadelphia? All the athletic department had to do last May was have a short press conference and have the secretary change the name of the coach in the computer.

I look forward to your last sentence. It could be a banner year?

Went to USA Czech game last night. I Agree, The Ralph needs fans to show up.

I took a clip of Hakstol quote here from article at web site below. Late owner Ed Snider, grandly memorialized Thursday, would have been proud. Lock-jawed coach Dave Hakstol certainly was. "We did a good job of withstanding their pressure," he said, "and our goaltender was outstanding. Neuvy was our best player . . . and the guys battled hard in front of him, as well. We're playing the game the way that got us here." http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20160424_It_was_more_than_Neuvirth_to_lift_the_Flyers_in_Game_5.html

I agree and I like the way you broke it down to the 4 parts of his job, the 3 mangers and the development coach. It just seemed to me that Hak's composure during a UND game was like it should of been for a professional game, too business like. I never envisioned him leaping to a head coaching job in the pros, and now, he's there. Over the last few years, there were more and more supporters showing a concern that there should be a Natty with this much success. Hak really made it easy for the Athletic Department.

There are all kinds of things that happen to change the outcome of a game. That's all part of the game, not forgetting that talent, coaching, home game, and etc. are also important. When key events happen that are taught to have caused a loss of one of the 4 games of the NCAA's, your out and they are more objectively remembered than any of those in a season loss. Have you heard these comments before: Deserved to win, played good enough to win, hot goalie, hockey Bambino, hit the pipe, monkey on back, and etc.? How a team over comes potential challenges or don't let them happen might lie partly/mostly with the coaches? How to get the players in the right frame of mind? It just seems some coaches are better at winning the big one and then do it again, not necessarily in consecutive years. There's been fresh ink on UND's success the last 20 years, and most programs would take that. I've enjoyed Hak's success and thank him for that. Berry has potential here to make a mark. Wow, Hak just won a playoff game in Philly!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!

IMO, NCHC had 3 best teams in the country St Cloud, Denver, UND

Reply to ringneck28. That is good to hear. Also, free beer at the Ralph is really a good deal. I'll mention one thing here, when I was a freshman at UND, I and many other freshman new very little about hockey on day 1 at the U. Most of us learned the game and became fans, this learning the game takes some time. I would think this would apply to most anyone (student or adult) without high school hockey involvement, who is going to START being a hockey fan for these other college teams in ND, wish them the best.

I have a lake place at Devils Lake and neighbor Glen (bait shop/taxidermist, doing walleye for my daughter) has a son playing hockey for Minot. He's been bragging Minot Hockey up, and I've been listening. Of course we've entrenched most of our sports conversations about the best team in the country, being he is also a Sioux fan. He's made comments that hockey is growing in ND. He also claims the number of hockey fans cheering for UND are on the rise in the western half of the state. He has no stats on this, but talks in hockey circles in DL and Minot.

From Bemidji?

50 more, why not, Minot!

That would be great for you if he played here!!! Heck, I would root for him too!

2 of my relatives from GF played for the goofs, and I didn't cheer for them.

How does a tread disapear, this kid from the Spectrum needs to evaporate.

You get a college "A" for today! Well, from my prospective,anyway. Normally, I shoot a couple of arrows at the Bison, but not in this next minute. There is so much that could be said by both the University's (& thousands of alumni) that could put Port in the trash can. Both U's have successful athletic programs. These sports programs help NDSU & UND be a better place for students, and also to be better institutions. By the way, ACADEMICS will continue to make these 2 U's respectable institutions. Minute is over.

You bring up many positives and there are more. Athletics are in college because of their many benefits. And, there are many decisions being made now, up and above athletics.

Good article, I have read/heard some similar stuff in the past. I just wander if SU's & our $ are really that negative in athletics

Today we hear more from UND. Interesting article from Port: http://www.inforum.com/opinion/columnists/4010818-rob-port-no-tears-should-be-shed-cuts-university-sports What do NDSU and UND need to do to break even in athletics? Win more games? Is Port's NCAA info correct?

They used to say, way back, when we had the Barn, and by the way nobody from the Ag College even new that we had one: "If you want to farm go to NDSU, if you want to own a farm go to UND".

Denver may be more appealing than UND? It is right up there with those 6 storied programs I mention a couple posts ago. I just think if B1G asks, we should go/strongly consider, of course we can't say yes to anything. If we don't, then say any combination of Denver, St. Cloud, and/or Duluth go? What position are we in then. There is bound to be a change in some conferences, just look at the movement over the past. I do dream!

Thanks, I go agree, far from reality.

Really sorry man, hope you get better.

As a school we don't quite fit the profile of the B1G schools. That really works against us as far as being asked to join the B1G, even just for hockey. For other sports included, there is a near Zero chance. Granted all this has been said in posts here before. We're cutting programs and that in itself, makes us look very unappealing. Now, if hockey doesn't rebound in the B1G next season (and no member announces a new hockey program), they might be getting a little toward the desperate side to find someone outside the B1G to join as an affiliate. If we have another great season, we could be the most likely one to be asked. Slim chance if they do any asking at all, but a possibility, and we would also need Minnesota and Wisconsin leading the drive from within for this to happen. If the opportunity arises, we cut the best deal we can and join. The best way may be putting in insurances about not being easily asked to leave down the road. So, IMO, this would have to happen in the near future while the B1G is still struggling, and while they might still be receptive to a Notre Dame type of relationship. I would think the B1G will eventually rebound, at which time they would have no need to ask us. It would be good to be around for that rebound. Maybe I'm a little selfish here, but when I was student at UND; Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, MSU, and Notre Dame were all in the WCHA. Wouldn't it be great to be in the same conference with them again? Add up the success of those 6 storied hockey programs!