Kevin G

BU game-planning for Minnesota: (@Blackheart-inspired comment)

Thursday, April 6, 2023 NCAA Tournament, Regional (at Amalie Arena, Tampa, Fla.) Boston University vs. Minnesota 4:00pm CT, ESPN2/ESPN+ Michigan vs. Quinnipiac 7:30 CT, ESPN2/ESPN+ Hoping for anything but a B1G champ.

Looking for a silver lining: If Strathmann does play another year in the USHL, it would help to balance out the classes a bit. It would feel painful to have to find (yet) another portal defenseman though. The one thing the coaching staff cannot do in the near future is lose any incoming recruits by trying to push them back a year.

I think Mankato fans deserve a little more time to grieve.

Time will tell, but it looks like Mankato just became Wisco's minor-league affiliate.

Please feel free to disagree, but from where I sit, it wasn't losing Hastings that triggered this disaster, it was losing Knott. If Knott accepts the HC job, I can't imagine Hastings takes the roster with him.

@bale31At least you still have your goalies? I mean, that's more than UND can say. [smacks own forehead] Sorry, I know, not helpful

At this rate, Mankato might be battling Lake Superior for last place in the CCHA next season. I don't believe I've ever witnessed anything quite like this.

Shoot. He was on Muskegon with Strinden and put up similar numbers. Stupid Sparty.

If Judd turns pro, I wonder if that impacts Portz's decision-making process.

Ah, I see. You're saying that they "pad" heights and weights, like a HS basketball roster. (My son somehow grew two inches the day they measured, or "measured," for the roster.) I'm still really excited for Livanavage though. Guys like Lane Huston (listed at 5'9", 155 lbs) have shown that smaller players can excel in college hockey. (Not saying Livanavage=Hutson, but a boy can dream, right?)

This. Last season Berry reminded me of former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire. When Gardy had scrappy utility player Nick ("I slide into first base") Punto on the roster, he'd play Punto in like 125 or 135 or even 150 games, instead of the 80 games he deserved to play in. Punto was Gardy's safety blanket, and Gardy couldn't not play Punto.

Elite Prospects has him listed at 5'10", 174 lbs. Pretty average, no?

Kleven ended up logging more ice time than expected (21 shifts, 17:33 TOI) because one of Ottawa's other defenseman (Hamonic) got injured early. BTW, as Schloss's tweet mentions, Sandy had 36 shifts for 27:49 TOI, the most in the game for either team.

Any particular reason you prefer Warren? (Honest question; I know zilch about either guy.)

Dangit, didn't scroll down far enough on Rink Live's portal chart.

Just looking into Garrett Pyke: 6'1", 190 lbs., defenseman, left-hand shot, from Mississauga, Ont. For those who like statistical oddities, check out Pyke's stats from the past two years: identical number of games played, goals scored, assists, and points. 2021‑22 Alaska ** 34 4 15 19 2 0 46 54 2 2022‑23 Alaska ** 34 4 15 19 1 0 40 72 14

Who's the next defenseman target? Bengtsson from LSSU?

UND: "Let's walk through the Ralph again."

Also the 2015-16 team had eleven freshmen (and six sophomores).

I am excited. I have no idea if it will all work out, but the coaching decisions over the past year didn't lead to success. This is different. And so, sure, I think I'll take a green NODAK jersey, preferably with "Strinden" or "James" on the back.

I'm strangely exhilarated right now.

Just think if Persson announces a commitment to UND today. *OMG, most exciting portal day EVER!*

I wasn't being serious. It seemed like an irrationally large number.

My fear is that the coaches will bring in like five low-ceiling but safe D-men from the portal. I don't think they'll do that, however. I really don't.