AJS

Opportunity #2 to start the 2nd half.

How would you even explain this team? Their inability to truly capitalize on momentum is insane.

It's starting to get down to really focusing on other conference games on the schedule. What is everyone's cheering strategy from here on out? 0 Losses: SDSU 1 Loss: SIU, ISU-Red, NDSU 2 Losses: UND, UNI, Youngstown Do we want SDSU to win out, then cheer against SIU, ISU-Red, NDSU? Based on the MVFC mediocre non-conference record, I think we want as many .500 teams (not being UND) as possible, also excluding SDSU. So, this weekend, I think we want UNI to beat SIU. ISU-Red / NDSU is basically a win/win. The one I'm struggling with is USD @ Youngstown. I don't want USD to get hot, so I'll cheer for Youngstown this weekend. Thoughts on the MVFC cheering strategy?

I agree with you at least in the short-term, but if his current play continues, given this teams forward depth, you would hope it would at least be on the table. Mods: Can we move this discussion.

360 on the blog today, "Let's call the beginning of the Second Season". Playoffs start on Saturday. Not looking ahead, just one week at a time. Just win.

Agreed.

As is stands currently, the NCHC has the 3rd best Inter-Conference record. Big Ten: 28-10-2 (.725) Hockey East: 23-11-2 (.667) NCHC: 28-18-3 (.602) What's really hurting the NCHC is their record against Atlantic Hockey (4-2), ECAC (0-3-1) and D-1 Independent (6-4).

Did a little digging. Perreault '05 (NTDP): 20Pts in 11 Games. Is it just assumed he's not playing college hockey? Fine '05 (NTDP): 3 Points in 11 Games. Musa '03 (Madison): 8 Points in 7 Games Burchill '05: (Dubuque): 6 Points in 7 Games St. Louis '03 (Dubuque): 11 Points in 7 Games

This team is in ok shape right now overall, but as odd as it might sound, this is sort of a must win type of situation. NCHC's out of conference performance although not awful, is I'm guessing the worst we've seen it. Excited for this game, it's been an odd start to the year. I believe this team has #1 seed potential. Need to start running off some regulation wins, starting in Vegas.

Who are the top uncommitted forwards for next year? Seeing how things are starting for the current recruits, I would think you would need at a minimum one, but more likely two forwards for next years class.

It’s so early, so things can change, but outside of Perron, what other forwards appear ready to come in next year? Let’s start by taking Klee and Singleton off the table. Boisvert is not eligible. That would leave Croal (possible), Panzer and Slipec. You would think an extra year would be beneficial for all three of them. Like I mentioned, still early, but it is a bit concerning that only one forward appears to be ready to take that next step. Going to need to make a McLaughlin type splash for next years class.

This game kind of broke my brain. Not sure what to really make of it from a talent standpoint if that makes sense. That 8 minutes that changed the game was so preposterous it will never happen again. Unfortunately in classic UND fashion this is two steps back. I’ll say this, if they can bounce back from this I’ll be really impressed. Starting with a parents only crowd next weekend. This feels like the NDSU loss from last year, which turned out to be a season ending loss. Prove me wrong!

Why onside kick? 3 TO’s, low probability, why not wait until it’s necessary?

This is it for me. It’s not just the loss, it’s the how.

I mean. This is next level UND unraveling. Game over. Potentially season over type of stuff. I’ve never seen anything like this

Todays game day anticipation feels different. The fan base is fully engaged, the opportunity is there. I’m going 11.5K for attendance. Let’s get this one.

Pre walk up crowd. I’d take over 11K.

Just listened to the interview, I came away very impressed with Martinson.

24 Hours from kickoff, according to current tickets available from Ticketmaster. Total: 1863 Non-End Zone: 882 End Zone: 981

SDSU has scored over 30 points twice this year, both at home, against Butler (45) and WIU (34). I sure hope that isn't the case, but I think that podcaster potentially doesn't understand how difficult scoring over 50 points is. It would take an all-out collapse from UND. Not only defensively, but offensively and ST's as well. Day before the game and I'm still conflicted. There are certain "BIG TIME" games that I have just a really hard time imagining UND winning. This is one of them. On the other hand, you cannot deny UND's record at home. Bye week, SDSU coming on the road for the 2nd week in a row, after their game against NDSU. My question is, after years of one step forward, one step back, are the stars aligning for this program?

48 Hours from kickoff, according to current tickets available from Ticketmaster. Total: 2119 Non-End Zone: 1021 End Zone: 1098 (Sections 218 / 201 / 209) UND / Alerus does seem to randomly release more tickets. Section 201 had limited tickets at the beginning of the week and then last night they opened up more seats. I was following the ticket situation before the UNI game fairly closely. They did release a fair amount the night before. Based on following the UNI available tickets, there will be a bigger crowd this weekend. Hoping for a nice push here in the next 24 hours and the walk-up crowd will fill in the non-end zone sections.

I agree with this.

The FCS Coaches poll might be the worst poll in all of sports. Idaho at 24 is so brutal. I know STATS has this too, but how can you justify NDSU being #4 and Weber State being #5?

Onto the game. I'm really conflicted on how this will go. On one hand, there's the reality of where this team has been defensively this year. To win, they will need to play their best game of the year. The other reason is this game is without a doubt a Top 5 D1 game for UND. I truly believe it's a game that can change the trajectory of a program. You don't get a lot of "fast track" type games. This is one of them. As a fanbase, it just seems like you see this team make a dent and then they just can't take that next step. Can they finally truly break thru? On the other hand, UND has been amazing at home. Things just seem to have broken perfectly for them this game. A well-timed Bye week, SDSU winning an emotional game against their biggest rival. Back-to-back road games for the Jackrabbits. UND has real momentum. Why wouldn't the Alerus magic continue? Cannot emphasize the opportunity UND has enough this weekend. Win and they are in the conversation on the FCS national level.