AJS

After the dust has settled a little bit, you can put me in this group as well.

Great post!

It's not Keane, Mattson or Senden individually that worry me, but them as a group. I completely agree that you need different players playing different roles, so it sounds like a guy like Senden will be a great lower line guy, good leader, ect... You can't have 75% of your class be guys like that. You also need forwards that have some offensive talent and none of them have shown even a bit of offensive ability at the junior level.

This is more what I was trying to say. Shane isn't the only one that will have the opportunity to sign after the year (as he could have last year), he definitely could, but is also not (in my eyes) like Boeser was last year where you knew he was gone for sure.

I always think will this person play in the NHL next year. If the answer is yes, then he's gone, no doubt. Gersich isn't one of those guys. Obviously, we've seen guys leave early all the time that have no shot of playing in the NHL that year (see Johnson, Thompson recently), but I don't think Gersich is a slam dunk to leave at all.

I know it's probably too early to tell, but the way I see it, UND has 4 forward spots open for next year at a minimum (3 Seniors, Gornall). Is the thought right now, they'll go with Hain, Mattson, Keane & Senden? Can you push any of them back another year? Priority #1, 2 & 3 should be getting an impact forward for next years class. See Guttman to Denver as the kind of guy. Anybody see any forwards leaving early? We all known Wolanin is going to leave early, but I could see every forward return.

Agreed, obviously, the Big Sky tournament are the only games that truly matter, but their non-conference record since becoming D1 has been frustrating to put it mildly. After the last couple of years of going 1-2 in their tournaments, it's awesome seeing 2-1. Could this be the year they get their "signature" win?

Not one person, ever. Bubba standing by Rudolph is the tipping point for me. I'll still cheer, hope for the best, but have no confidence in either of them going forward. Hope I'm wrong.

If that's the case, welcome to UND! In all seriousness, has anybody with competing offers every picked SCSU over UND?

This does seem to be one that has SCSU written on it, but I'm sure Berry and the coaching staff are doing their due-diligence. His start in the USHL has really gotten my attention, I hope Berry goes after him. Really like that he's (1) Local (2) Small - four year guy My guess is he's definitely a +1 guy (one year of juniors after HS), so would put him in the 2019 class.

Not a fan of Monty, way too arrogant for my liking. This Denver team is the most talented team in the country, now that doesn't mean that they can't lose or are a lock for the title, but they are very good. I'd be very happy if UND could come out of this weekend as a split. This is definitely the measuring stick to see where UND is at right now. If Cam is ready to go this weekend, I'd start Thome on Friday / Cam on Saturday. I've been in "checking off boxes" mode with Thome. (1) Road series start (2) Home series start -- what's really left now is seeing the best team in the country and tournament games. If Cam's healthy he won't see the tournament, but would like to see what he can do against Denver for a game.

Interesting, PPG guy in the USHL last year, 6th round pick in the draft. UND definitely has one open forward spot (potentially 2) for next year. Would be a big pick up and somebody this '18 recruiting class desperately needs.

It was posted here, but post must have been deleted. http://bigwest.sidearmstreaming.com/watch/?Live=356

Link?

Exactly, since the 2nd game, if it's not one thing it's the other. UND defense shows up (like vs Montana), the offense struggles. Very frustrating, but thankfully it's finally over. There's reason for some excitement next year, hopefully a couple coaches are on the way out.

Do you think Miami had more grade A chances than UND last night? UND did get some dirty goals, but Miami's goalie also made some unbelievable saves. I thought UND overall definitely had the better chances.

They will be a lot are available when I logged in.

I believe that, but like I said, better to get these games under his belt after a solid weekend in Wisconsin (has to happen sometime). With non-conference games almost more important than conference games as far as PWR are concerned, you probably couldn't ask for a better opponent to have your home opener against. Far from an easy opponent and these will be close games, but IMO better Miami than pretty much any other NCHC opponent.

This will really pay dividends down the road and will ultimately make this team much stronger if it is indeed just a couple week injury and he's fully healthy against Denver. Gets Thome game reps that he really needed, first on the road and now at home. Took him about a period to settle down last weekend, wouldn't surprise me if his home start is similar. Better to start checking these boxes off now.

Every persons definition of blue-chip varies a little, for me it's a sure fire first rounder. We really don't know since most of the recruits are still a few years off from being draft eligible and things can change quickly the older they get (see Mattson). Tychonick's current draft ranking on a few sites puts him in the 30s, which is borderline 1st, but most likely a 2nd round pick. For their age groups, I'd put potential blue-chippers as 00's - Tychonick, Donovan 01's - Reid, Caulfield 02's Kunz, Kleven, Bowen Edit: There are some very talented players I didn't include that will end up being great college hockey players.

BCHL Stats: Blaisdell '01 (F): 4-8-12 19GP Keane '97 (F): 4-6-10 17GP Tychonick '00 (D): 4-6-10 17GP Reid '01 (D): 1-7-8 16GP Scheel '99 (G): 5-5-0-1 2.38 GAA .924 SV% USHL Stats: Senden '98 (F): 2-2-4 11GP Mattson '98 (F): 3-2-5 11GP Mancinelli '01 (F): 1-0-1 9GP Costello '00 (F): 2-1-3 10GP AJHL Stats: Bernard-Docker '00 (D): 3-6-9 16GP NTDP -18: Hain '00 (F): 1-7-8 13GP NTDP -17: Caulfield '01 (F): 6-6-12 10GP

I took a lot of positives out of last nights game, the final score looked lopsided, but (like most games this year) it kind of snowballed. Yesterday, it was a combination of what has to be the worst 3rd / 4th down defense in the country as far as % of getting a stop and uncharacteristically bad turnovers by Studsrud and the inability to pick up the 4th and short. You make a stop and you get that yard and it's a potential 14 point swing on two plays. As bad as the defense was, it could have easily been 28-27 UND early in the 3rd. Simply put, the defense will be night and day better next year, it won't be even close. The weaknesses that opponents have exploited all year won't be there with the injured players at full health. At full health, they'll be great, but even with injuries, it can't be to the level it is this year and they'll still be greatly improved.

Agreed, I should have clarified since I thought they'd be the strength of the team as well, but I never thought they'd be at this level. This defensive unit is at a rare "elite" status this year, definitely one of the Top 5 collective units in the country.

Neither should have been a penalty shot. Overall, a very good weekend, I'll take 1-0-1 on the road any day against a solid opponent. Fortunate bounce on Gerisch goal negates the awful give away by Simonson on Wisconsin's second. UND was the better team this weekend. Biggest take away from the weekend is UND has a solid #2 in net with Thome. He fought the puck a little Friday, which is expected, but personally felt very comfortable with him in net tonight. Nothing against Pups the last couple years, but feel confident much more comfortable with Thome in net. No worries about goaltending this year with either Cam or Thome. I'd like to see a show of hands if anyone thought UND would be in this position defensively this year after watching the unit last year at any point most of the season. The step that Peski and Johnson have made in a year truly is remarkable. They are flat out really good college defenseman. I really think they are nipping at the heals of the 2016 defense unit. The top 4 was probably better that year, but I'd take Bast / Johnson over Thompson and either a freshman Shaw / Wolanin for the 3rd D-pair. This team can roll four lines, again solid tonight, Wisco goalie was on, but the opportunities were there tonight. This will be a fun team to follow the rest of the way.

I was very, very impressed with the way they looked tonight. I couldn't pick out one guy that looked off or was a step behind. What a difference these new guys are making, Jones does everything right, love watching him play, Mismash looks like he could be the best forward on the team come Christmas and Adams has consistently been a difference maker. Bast is phenomenal on the back end and Thome was solid in his first start. This night had to happen, Cam is the guy, but it was great to see Thome get some action. Slow start which is understandable, but he hung in and ended up having a very good first collegiate start. I'd like to see him get his game this year. Great win, tomorrow has huge implications as a non-conference sweep on the road will do wonders for UND's pairwise down the road.