AJS

Even with the Studs news this still works, it's about the O-Line and with Stewart not making the trip, the 2 freshman safeties.

He is, you're thinking of the Sac State transfer. I just think Zimmerman has better potential to run the offense.

Would rather see Zimmerman start over Heidlebaugh.

This is beyond absurd.

Hopefully this version of the offensive line continues to gel and we get some traction on the ground. I'll be watching Hunt (ILB) and the safeties really closely, hoping for some 3 and outs and bend, but not break for the red zone defense. Honestly, I'm just hoping for some improvement out of the young guys and a semi-respectable showing. Just don't get blown out.

I talked about the "core" 5 guys coming into this season. Hoff is the only one with a goal, Poganski is noticeable in a positive way, just hasn't found the back of the net. Need Gersich, JJ & Gardner to step up. Like the way Adams, Smith, Bowen & Jones look, Mismash / Kawaguichi I'll give them time since it's only their third game. Defensively UND looks good, Poolman was great tonight. Johnson was the key again, 3 strong games to start the season.

Terrible game so far, I'd rather start off the 3rd 5-5 than on the power play, it does nothing but give St. Lawrence momentum. This team is in a big spot, need to get a win and then try to regroup. I'd sign up for a tie right now.

That's really disappointing, yes, he's the 15th guy, but was still a valuable member who would have seen playing time this year. It's more likely than not that at many points this year you'll have three players hurt. Makes you really appreciate the Sanderson's and others who stuck it out despite spending most time in the press box.

The fascinating world of Wisconsin recruiting isn't showing any signs of slowing down. It's expected both Caufield brothers will pick Wisconsin after decommitting from Ohio State, if that holds true. Current recruits: 98' - D: 1 F: 4 99' - D: 0 F: 5 G: 1 00' - D: 6 F: 4 01' - D: 0 F: 7 02': D: 3 F: 2 33 total: 22 Forwards, 10 Defenseman 1 Goalie The ascetics just look bad, I realize not every player that commits will end up on campus, UND has been and will be in that position (as is every other team). Still, I would love to hear Wisconsin's recruiting pitch to players right now. Other schools: BU - 16 UND - 17 Minnesota - 17 Denver - 17 Notre Dame - 21 BC - 21 Harvard - 22 Michigan - 23 I believe Michigan has the second most at 23, that's 10 less players than Wisconsin. From a Rizzo recruiting angle, I hope this is good news for UND if Caufield commits to Wisco, I mean they have to have a limit at some point, you'd think.

Montana has always been a tough place to play and at full strength I had this as a pick em, so I wouldn't say I like UND's chances right now. That being said, this is a statement game for this beat up roster, if they can go in and be competitive then it should give everyone a lot of hope for the future with the amount of youth that will be on the field. I do like where UND is offensively, even with two freshman starting on the OLine. Defensively, hopefully they can continue to make strides, I understand UNC isn't very good, but they looked much better than they had in the previous weeks. Hoping for a competitive game. No more blow outs.

Yon for sure, but other than that, it's a tough call. Smith is valuable, I think he needs to be in, but I also think we need Mismash and Gooch. I'd go with the lineup they had Friday and make changes (for Smith) for the forward who struggles the most Friday night.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/4341587-lineup-decisions-become-more-difficult-after-uaa-series

Btw, the sophomore class was probably the least heralded class I can remember (outside of Jost of course). I'll continue to eat crow, I think they'll be a fantastic class that outside of maybe C. Poolman will all be 4 year guys. A lot of solid players in Bowen, Smith, Poolman, Peski, Hoff and Johnson.

It's a numbers game for UND that's a problem that the coaches have to like, but will make for some tough decisions on who's in and who's out. They are 15 deep at the forward spot, obviously not all the same abilities, but all 15 that can play. I see it as needing to get Yon / Smith in for the weekend and Mismash / Kawaguchi didn't show enough the night before secure their spot. Obviously it was their first collegiate game, I don't think they played poorly, but somebody had to come out. After watching both games though, it does appear that Yon should be "out" more than he should be "in". He has more experience than Mismash / Kawaguchi at the collegiate level, but not close to as much talent. Smith though is a valuable guy to have in there, injuries will happen and it'll make the coaching staffs life a little easier, but with everyone healthy, I see 13 forwards that should be in with only 12 spots. The same can be said on defense, Bast will need an opportunity, Peski / Johnson seemed to step up their games this year, Kierstad played pretty well his first weekend too. Very deep team this year.

Wasn't able to watch the UNC game, how did Shannon / Canady look?

Add Mattson to the group, as we all know recruiting is the life blood of a program, right now the two you mentioned and Mattson need to show something this year. All three have yet to do it in their junior careers. If you add Frisch and Donovan (00's) that are playing HS, the 00's & 01's (02's too far out) look to be outstanding.

http://kfgo.com/blogs/und-football-360/30670/360-notebook-just-what-the-doctor-ordered/ "Senior A.J. Stockwell started at left guard and freshman Noah Mortel started at left tackle. This is a move to get Mortel valuable reps the rest of the season and have him ready to go for 2018. Both Mortel and Ryan Tobin have been consistent performers up front for UND so far this season" It's exciting anytime you see freshman start and perform well. I'm excited to watch these two players along with Nguon get a lot of reps the rest of the year. Others I'll be watching closely the rest of the year will be Shannon, Canady and Hunt. With so many underclassman playing key roles now because of injuries that wouldn't have originally, if they can be competitive in their upcoming games it's a great sign for years to come. Injuries derailed the team this year, but they could be stronger next season because of it.

Playing down to your competition definitely happens, but it didn't happen last weekend. UND skated circles around UAA dominating them the entire weekend everywhere except the most important place, the score board. Combination of great goaltending for UAA and missing open nets made the scores much, much closer than it should have been.

BCHL Stats: Blaisdell '01 (F): 2-7-9 10GP (Team leader in points) Keane '97 (F): 1-4-5 7GP Tychonick '00 (D): 1-3-4 7GP Reid '01 (D): 0-5-5 7GP Scheel '99 (G): 4-0-0-1 1.45 GAA .952 SV% (2nd in the league in both GAA and SV%) USHL Stats: Senden '98 (F): 0-0-0 2GP Mattson '98 (F): 0-0-0 2GP Mancinelli '01 (F): 0-0-0 2GP Caulfield '01 (F): 1-2-3 1GP Costello '00 (F): 1-0-1 2GP AJHL Stats: Bernard-Docker (D): 1-2-3 9GP NTDP: Hain '00 (F): 1-5-6 5GP

Need a sweep.

On the backend, Wolanin is a stud, he'll be dominant this year. What was a nice surprise is Peski / Johnson seemed to outplay Shaw / Poolman. We know what UND has in Shaw / Poolman and they'll be steady / solid defenders this year, who specifically Shaw had an off weekend. If Peski / Johnson can continue to play well, this will be a very good defensive unit this year and for years to come.

This was as close to a must win as their is two games into the season, absolutely crucial. Anchorage is terrible and will not win many games this year, but good to get out of their 1-0-1. At the end of the year this win counts just as much as if they won 5-0. Positives were they looked good, outside of actually putting the puck in the net, but Mantha had a lot to do with that. I thought Cam looked good, a couple bad turnovers yesterday by the defense ended up in the back of the net, but overall he was solid on the weekend. This team is deep on the forward front, I do think though that Yon will be the odd man out more times than he'll be in. Would much rather see #16 or #29 in the lineup. Adams has locked himself into the starting lineup. On to St. Lawrence, hopefully they'll find the net more next week. These non-conference games against weaker opponents are so important, can't afford a loss.

I'm with you, there are some trends (I'll continue to harp on the PP), that are concerns after seeing it year after year, since that's on the scheme. "Hot goalies" or lack of finishers, I'll need more of a sample size to judge. Last nights game, wouldn't have followed the trend last year, where more times than not, UND made the goalies look better. Mantha was just an animal. One type of advanced stat I'd love to see is compare a goalies Save % at the end of the year and if their games against UND they were better or worse than their average.

From the GF Herald: “That’s something we’re going to have to continually work on to get better,” Berry said. “When you lose a couple of key players from last year, you have to fill those voids and find the strengths of your team. We’re getting some information now. Hopefully, if we can have success -- get one or two power-play goals -- we can get some momentum with those units.” I have a huge problem with this, UND's PP was at 18.5% last year, which is not good. The 18.5% looks better than it actually is, where you'll see two or three games where they really click (4-7 type nights) that bring the average way up. Do you have to go back to the early 2000s, late 90s, where they actually had a good PP? It's so frustrating, because I haven't heard once over 15+ years that it might just be the PP scheme they run. What they've tried over the years isn't working. You have two first round picks and it's only at 18.5%? It's completely unacceptable. For a team that has made 15 straight tournaments, night in and night out, teams that have less talent seem to look better on the power play. This is on the coaching staff. It won't get fixed and it'll be another frustrating special teams year. I just want to for once hear some accountability.