AJS

I can see both sides,: Do I think it's premature to fire the coach? Yes. Do I think missing the tournament two years in a row is acceptable? No. Do I believe they've fallen as far as some want to believe? No Do I believe they will be back next year? Yes What my problem is currently is nobody is asking the tough questions and putting any pressure on this coaching staff. The local media just makes excuses for why things are happening. The latest "look where Michigan, Boston and Minnesota" spin really pissed me off. Ultimately, I fell there's no accountability being taken by the coaching staff and there's nobody that will but pressure on them.

The combination of (1) Donovan going to Wisconsin (I would have understood wanting to stay home (2) Picking up another '19 recruit (MJHL) has got me really, really frustrated. I was always in the camp (still would be) that if they could only bring 4, they are bringing in the correct 4, so I wasn't as upset as some were originally. Now I am.

I don't think you'll find too many people disagreeing with you. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see anyway he does anything with them now. He had his chance last year. Normally, I would say there's no chance he does anything (although there's two that are no-brainers), but he's going to start feeling some heat. This team needs talent, we know they have 4 coming next year, but if there's not a quality player you already have or can get, then I wouldn't be for it. No offense to the new MJHL recruit, but might as well just keep Yon. Save that roster spot for '20.

Agreed Disagree Toss Up Agreed This isn't a hindsight is 20/20 thing either, I don't know what this Junior class showed prior to UND that would have led anyone to believe they would be performing better than they are. You had a Blue Chip (Jost) Highly regarded (Hoff) >>>>> Depth (Bowen, Yon, Smith). It's crazy to have 3 out of 5 guys in one class that either couldn't score (Bowen / Yon) or played in the MJHL (Smith). I agree, Smith has been better than I would have expected, Hoff worse, Bowen / Yon exactly how you would have expected. This was a bad class on paper and it's proven out to be that overall, during their time here. I know Johnson is playing out of position, but add him to the mix and this forward Junior class (5 forward spots) is a dumpster fire.

I'm generally interested, are you saying Tomek didn't get a fair shot? I really don't know what to make of JJ, I'm completely in the dark there. Could he be playing right now? I'm with you on your last statement, I believe I wrote that they couldn't be worse offensively as they were last year....boy was I wrong.

Like the comedic relief. This forward group in general is a mess, I've been pleasantly surprised by Keane, but him playing in the Top 6 is a coaching decision more than anything else. Bowen or Hoff easily could and Keane could be on the 4th line, not really sure what your point is. Weatherby went from the 4th line two weeks ago to the 1st line last week. In all reality right now they have 4 guys who are Top 6 guaranteed, a third line which won't be broken up (or should they), everyone else in interchangeable (which isn't a good thing).

I like to think I follow this team pretty closely, I'm not really following the JJ / Tomek angle. I'm genuinely interested when you talk about the bigger picture. Where I might disagree with some is although I'm in complete agreement that these two past years have been unacceptable for UND's standards, I also don't think that they are that far off. If your bigger picture is the wheels completely coming off (by that I mean they drop into the bottom half of the NCHC for years to come / continue to miss tournaments), then I disagree. Only time will tell, but like I mentioned, with the goaltending / defense this team has currently and the incoming talent (along with some guys that have potential currently on the roster), a turn around next year is likely.

The two I have in bold are what people are questioning. Donovan (we'll see how he ends up), is the only player / recruit that has a chance to make any kind of impact. Not a single underclassman that left early under Berry or Hakstol who transferred was a loss for the team. Outside of Donovan, guys that decommitted would fall into the "pushed out" category, for the lack of a better term. Those are guys that didn't materialize and wouldn't have been impact players. Onto your other stuff, the only thing of substance is it's looking like Berry will miss the tournament two years in a row, that's a big deal. He deserves blame, but the points you are making are either non-issues when discussing why, or out of his control. Look elsewhere. If you want to talk special teams, the way the roster is structured (i.e. Junior class), I think those are more valid points.

Correct

Think everyone is assuming the worst, don't believe there's any reliable information at this moment.

Not so fast. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/hockey/4572541-adam-scheel-goes-down-injury-unds-loss-western-michigan "If there’s some good news, it’s that Thome began taking pucks in practice again this week and is nearing a return." “I think he’s right around the corner,” Berry said. “He probably could have come on the road trip. He just came in the last couple of practices. He stayed home to get some shots and conditioning. He should be ready to be available by next weekend.” Like everyone, I have my fingers crossed that Scheel's injury isn't season ending, but if it is, that he makes a speedy recovery. This Thome news though is a big deal, I'm anxious to find out more this upcoming week.

I can't get over this, score two to make it a one goal game, get a PP late with a "realistic" shot at tying it up and next thing you know, they give up a shorthanded goal / lost their goalie for the year. UND hockey these past couple years has been one long sustained nightmare.

Can anyone ever remember a time where both goalies have been lost for the year? This is so ridiculous.

I'm in disbelief right now, not only are we witnessing the worst PP I've ever seen at UND, but tonight it ends up with the starting goalie being lost for the year. I just want this season to be over.

This is a nightmare